Moving from Pasadena, TX to McAllen, TX
It is a 361 mi drive, roughly 6h 57m, between Pasadena, TX and McAllen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
361 mi Β· 6h 57m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | League City, Pearland, Houston, Sugar Land, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.9% cheaper overall in McAllen than Pasadena on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 12.9% above Pasadena β $217,449 β $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Pasadena -3.6%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 18.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON HOBBY AP, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,345 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $64,270 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.98 |
Households in McAllen earn about 12.9% less at the median β 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,960 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $217,449 in Pasadena β a 5.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $64,270 in Pasadena β a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.9% lower than Pasadena (85.895 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Pasadena, TX?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 6h 57m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, TX Β· McAllen, TX.