Moving from McAllen, TX to Fort Worth, TX
The drive from McAllen, TX to Fort Worth, TX runs 517 mi β about 9h 2m 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.
517 mi Β· 9h 2m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, US 287 BUS, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Carrollton, Lewisville, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Fort Worth | 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 |
Major COL jump: 20.0% higher overall in Fort Worth vs McAllen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fort Worth: 20.0% above McAllen on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | β |
Climate cools by 8.0Β°F on the annual average β 75.5Β°F β 67.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.82 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 20.0% between McAllen and Fort Worth (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth average 97Β°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
Is Fort Worth more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth 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 does household income compare in McAllen vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 27.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 2m via US 281 and US 287 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 30.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Fort Worth, TX.