Moving from McAllen, TX to Davie, FL
A 1520 mi cross-country move between McAllen and Davie is 28h 6m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1520 mi · 28h 6m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Davie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Davie is 32.9% above McAllen — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
32.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Davie -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Davie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 58°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 68.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Davie — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Davie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 106,412 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $87,171 |
| Median age | 34 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.77 |
Davie households earn about 32.9% more than McAllen at the median — $60,165 → $87,171 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Davie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Davie average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Davie averages 68.8 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Davie compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $515,020 in Davie vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 124.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Davie?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.9°F in Davie vs 75.5°F in McAllen (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 68.8 in vs 18.7 in.
Is Davie more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Davie is 32.9% higher than McAllen (114.155 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Davie, FL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1520 mi and the route typically takes 28h 6m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Davie compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Davie MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Davie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,171 in Davie vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 44.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Davie?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1520 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 · Davie, FL.