Moving from McAllen, TX to Scottsdale, AZ
It is 1238 mi between McAllen and Scottsdale β roughly 21h 6m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1238 mi Β· 21h 6m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Scottsdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Scottsdale is 20.3% more expensive than McAllen on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $229,001 in McAllen to $858,022 in Scottsdale, a 20.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 11.6" |
Annual temperature drops 5.9Β°F moving to Scottsdale per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 34 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.06 |
Scottsdale households earn about 20.3% more than McAllen at the median β $60,165 β $107,372 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Scottsdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Scottsdale average 99Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Scottsdale sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1238 mi and the route typically takes 21h 6m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Scottsdale more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Scottsdale is 20.3% higher than McAllen (103.316 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Scottsdale compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 78.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1238 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 274.7% 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· Scottsdale, AZ.