Moving from Orange, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Orange, CA to McAllen, TX is a 1572 mi cross-country relocation — about 27h 11m 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.
1572 mi · 27h 11m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 24.4% below Orange — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 → 85.895, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 24.4% below Orange — $1,143,788 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 9.4°F warmer on the annual average (66.1°F vs 75.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 24.4% below Orange ($116,945 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 — 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Orange and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 66.1°F in Orange (9.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 12.5 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 80.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 1572 mi and the route typically takes 27h 11m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Orange 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 1572 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 24.4% lower than Orange (85.895 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orange vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $116,945 in Orange — a 48.6% 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 Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · McAllen, TX.