Moving from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX
The 349 mi from McAllen to Houston translate to about 6h 45m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
349 mi · 6h 45m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 85.895 in McAllen to 98.629 in Houston, a 14.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Houston at $264,336 is 14.8% above McAllen at $229,001.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.51 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 75.5°F in McAllen (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 18.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 15.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 14.8% higher than McAllen (98.629 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 349 mi and the route typically takes 6h 45m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 4.5% 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 · Houston, TX.