Moving from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
It is 1901 mi and 33h 5m from Modesto to McAllen β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1901 mi Β· 33h 5m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 99, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Modesto at 104.108.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $446,494 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 18.7" |
Expect 12.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.5% β $77,899 β $60,165 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 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 (12.4Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1901 mi and the route typically takes 33h 5m via I 10 and CA 99. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1901 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 17.5% lower than Modesto (85.895 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 22.8% 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 Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· McAllen, TX.