Moving from McAllen, TX to Hialeah, FL
Cross-country relocations like McAllen, TX β Hialeah, FL cover 1531 mi and about 28h 15m of driving through 5 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.
1531 mi Β· 28h 15m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Hialeah | 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 price level in Hialeah runs 32.9% higher than McAllen β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (85.895 β 114.155, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hialeah is 32.9% above McAllen β $229,001 vs $443,804 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Hialeah -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 62.7" |
Annual average temperatures in McAllen (75.5Β°F) and Hialeah (76.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 221,901 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $53,079 |
| Median age | 34 | 45.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 14.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.87 |
Income steps down 32.9%: $60,165 in McAllen vs $53,079 in Hialeah.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hialeah 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Hialeah average 91Β°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: Hialeah averages 62.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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 does household income compare in McAllen vs Hialeah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,079 in Hialeah vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hialeah compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $443,804 in Hialeah vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 93.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hialeah more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hialeah 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 Hialeah, FL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1531 mi and the route typically takes 28h 15m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Hialeah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1531 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hialeah compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hialeah 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Hialeah, FL.