Moving from McAllen, TX to Springfield, MO

It is 938 mi between McAllen and Springfield β€” roughly 16h 59m 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.

938 mi Β· 16h 59m by car Β· MO β†’ OK β†’ TX

COL +3.1% Home values +6.1% Ξ” -19.1Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
938 mi
Drive time
16h 59m
States
3
Fuel (25 mpg)
38 gal
Route throughMO β†’ OK β†’ TX
Primary highwaysUS 69, US 281, I 44 BUSINESS
Major cities en routeBroken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

McAllenSpringfieldU.S. avg
All items (RPP)85.89588.585100.0
Rents81.18685.825100.0
Goods93.75794.193100.0
Services55.89265.568100.0

No material COL gap at the headline level β€” BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

McAllen β€” typical home
$229,001
Springfield β€” typical home
$242,870
McAllen β€” typical rent
$1,289/mo
Springfield β€” typical rent
$1,203/mo

Housing comes in 3.1% above McAllen β€” $229,001 β†’ $242,870 on the latest ZHVI.

YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsMcAllenSpringfield
Annual avg temperature76Β°F56Β°F
January avg low49Β°F23Β°F
July avg high98Β°F88Β°F
Annual snowfall0.1"β€”
Annual precipitation18.7"46.5"

Annual average temperature gap of 19.1Β°F β€” a meaningful climate change across the move.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023McAllenSpringfield
Population143,789169,432
Median household income$60,165$45,984
Median age3433.6
Bachelor's degree or higher20.3%18.7%
Avg household size2.982.13

Springfield households earn about 3.1% less than McAllen at the median β€” $60,165 β†’ $45,984 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

McAllen MSA β€” median wage
$32,550
Springfield MSA β€” median wage
$41,490
McAllen MSA β€” employment
285,850
Springfield MSA β€” employment
217,710

Top occupations in Springfield MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 28,080 $38,030
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 24,360 $38,880
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 20,070 $28,100
Sales and Related Occupations 19,640 $31,070
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 17,940 $63,340

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Texas and Missouri

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Missouri income tax
4.7% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 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

  • You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
  • Tornadoes are common April through June β€” identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
  • 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 Missouri after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

Is Springfield more expensive than McAllen?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 3.1% higher than McAllen (88.585 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Springfield, MO from McAllen, TX?

The driving distance is 938 mi and the route typically takes 16h 59m via US 69 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to McAllen?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $229,001 in McAllen β€” a 6.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in McAllen vs Springfield?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $60,165 in McAllen β€” a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Springfield compare to McAllen?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 217,710 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 Springfield?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.

City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Springfield, MO.

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