Moving from McAllen, TX to Brownsville, TX
It is a 57 mi drive, roughly 1h 10m, between McAllen, TX and Brownsville, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
57 mi · 1h 10m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, I 69E, US 77 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 85.895 vs 85.975 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | — |
Annual average temperatures in McAllen (75.5°F) and Brownsville (74.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 34 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.21 |
Households in Brownsville earn about 0.1% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Brownsville more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 0.1% higher than McAllen (85.975 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 14.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 57 mi and the route typically takes 1h 10m via US 83 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 57 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Brownsville, TX.