Moving from McAllen, TX to Laredo, TX
Relocating between McAllen, TX and Laredo, TX is a 149 mi drive — 3h 1m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
149 mi · 3h 1m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, FM 2220, TX 495 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
McAllen and Laredo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Laredo ($220,331) sits close to McAllen ($229,001) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 19.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 75.5°F vs 75.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.2% higher in Laredo than McAllen.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 much do homes cost in Laredo compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 3.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 5.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 149 mi and the route typically takes 3h 1m via US 83 and FM 2220. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 75.5°F in McAllen (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 18.7 in.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 1.2% higher than McAllen (86.956 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 · Laredo, TX.