Moving from McAllen, TX to Denton, TX
The drive from McAllen, TX to Denton, TX runs 550 mi β about 9h 38m 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.
550 mi Β· 9h 38m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 35W, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Allen, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Denton runs 20.0% higher than McAllen β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (85.895 β 103.09, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Denton is 20.0% above McAllen β $229,001 vs $354,135 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 38.4" |
Climate cools by 10.1Β°F on the annual average β 75.5Β°F β 65.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 34 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 20.0% between McAllen and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Denton average 96Β°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 colder climate (10.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Denton more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 20.0% higher than McAllen (103.09 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Denton, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 550 mi and the route typically takes 9h 38m via US 281 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 550 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 54.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denton compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Denton, TX.