Moving from McAllen, TX to San Antonio, TX
It is a 242 mi drive, roughly 4h 28m, between McAllen, TX and San Antonio, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
242 mi · 4h 28m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 37 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.3% above McAllen — 85.895 → 94.716 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 10.3% above McAllen — $229,001 → $249,810 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 34.0" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5°F moving to San Antonio per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in San Antonio — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.66 |
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 San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
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 San Antonio average 94°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
What is the climate difference between McAllen and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 75.5°F in McAllen (6.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 18.7 in.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 242 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Antonio, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 242 mi and the route typically takes 4h 28m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 10.3% higher than McAllen (94.716 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 4.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 9.1% 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 · San Antonio, TX.