Moving from McAllen, TX to Richardson, TX
It is 515 mi between McAllen and Richardson β roughly 9h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
515 mi Β· 9h 29m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Richardson | 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 |
BEA RPP climbs from 85.895 in McAllen to 103.09 in Richardson, putting overall prices 20.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $229,001 to $440,400 moving to Richardson.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature drops 9.7Β°F moving to Richardson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 34 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 20.0% more than McAllen at the median β $60,165 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 household income compare in McAllen vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 60.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 515 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 Richardson compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
How far is Richardson, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 515 mi and the route typically takes 9h 29m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richardson more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 92.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Richardson, TX.