Moving from McKinney, TX to McAllen, TX
A move from McKinney, TX to McAllen, TX covers 554 mi and around 9h 44m of driving through 1 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
554 mi Β· 9h 44m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 35E, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 16.7% cheaper than McKinney overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 16.7% below McKinney β $481,963 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 10.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 75.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 16.7% below McKinney ($120,273 vs $60,165, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
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 McAllen average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 McAllen compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 52.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 554 mi and the route typically takes 9h 44m via US 281 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 554 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 McAllen compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 50.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than McKinney (85.895 vs 103.09, 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· McAllen, TX.