Moving from McAllen, TX to Killeen, TX
Moving from McAllen, TX to Killeen, TX covers 391 mi and about 6h 51m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
391 mi · 6h 51m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, TX 130 TOLL, I 69C |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.1% pricier overall in Killeen than McAllen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 34.8" |
Killeen is 8.9°F cooler on the annual average (75.5°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 34 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.61 |
Household income lines up — $60,165 vs $58,339 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 Killeen average 96°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
How does the job market in Killeen compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 75.5°F in McAllen (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 18.7 in.
How far is Killeen, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 391 mi and the route typically takes 6h 51m via US 281 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 3.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Killeen more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 6.1% higher than McAllen (91.132 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Killeen, TX.