Moving from Ontario, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Ontario, CA to McAllen, TX is a 1552 mi cross-country relocation β about 26h 36m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1552 mi Β· 26h 36m 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, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 106.442 to 85.895, putting McAllen roughly 19.3% below Ontario on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McAllen: 19.3% below Ontario on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 8.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 75.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 19.3% below Ontario ($82,806 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.
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.
- 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 Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 66.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1552 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 27.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 19.3% lower than Ontario (85.895 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1552 mi and the route typically takes 26h 36m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· McAllen, TX.