Moving from Lewisville, TX to McAllen, TX
The drive from Lewisville, TX to McAllen, TX runs 523 mi — about 9h 39m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
523 mi · 9h 39m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lewisville | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 16.7% below Lewisville — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 16.7% under Lewisville at $393,896 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lewisville -5.2%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lewisville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.9" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 10.1°F on the annual average — 65.4°F → 75.5°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GRAPEVINE DAM, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lewisville | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,313 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $85,002 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.7% between Lewisville and McAllen (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is McAllen more expensive than Lewisville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Lewisville (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lewisville to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 523 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Lewisville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Lewisville MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Lewisville, TX?
The driving distance is 523 mi and the route typically takes 9h 39m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lewisville vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $85,002 in Lewisville — a 29.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lewisville and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 65.4°F in Lewisville (10.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 38.9 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Lewisville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $393,896 in Lewisville — a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lewisville.
City profiles: Lewisville, TX · McAllen, TX.