Moving from Norfolk, VA to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Norfolk, VA → McAllen, TX cover 1713 mi and about 32h 22m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1713 mi · 32h 22m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norfolk | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 97.941 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 12.3% below Norfolk on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McAllen: 12.3% below Norfolk on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 14.1°F on the annual average — 61.4°F → 75.5°F.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.98 |
Income steps down 12.3%: $64,017 in Norfolk vs $60,165 in McAllen.
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 Virginia 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 — 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 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 (14.1°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 Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 25.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 6.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (14.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 45.7 in.
Is McAllen more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.3% lower than Norfolk (85.895 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 1713 mi and the route typically takes 32h 22m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk 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 1713 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · McAllen, TX.