Moving from Midland, TX to McAllen, TX
It is 564 mi between Midland and McAllen — roughly 10h 20m 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.
564 mi · 10h 20m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, US 87, I 69C |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.3% cheaper overall in McAllen than Midland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 10.5°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 10.3% less than Midland at the median — $91,169 → $60,165 on ACS 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 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 McAllen average 98°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 (10.5°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 Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $328,325 in Midland — a 30.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Midland and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 65.0°F in Midland (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 13.6 in.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 564 mi and the route typically takes 10h 20m via US 281 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 10.3% lower than Midland (85.895 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Midland to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Midland vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $91,169 in Midland — a 34.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · McAllen, TX.