Moving from Los Angeles, CA to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Los Angeles, CA → McAllen, TX cover 1603 mi and about 27h 34m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1603 mi · 27h 34m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 24.4% below Los Angeles — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 → 85.895, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 24.4% below Los Angeles — $952,183 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 11.7°F on the annual average — 63.8°F → 75.5°F.
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 24.4% between Los Angeles 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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (11.7°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is McAllen more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 24.4% lower than Los Angeles (85.895 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 25.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 1603 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 Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 75.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (11.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 14.1 in.
How far is McAllen, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1603 mi and the route typically takes 27h 34m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · McAllen, TX.