Moving from Peoria, AZ to McAllen, TX
It is 1257 mi between Peoria and McAllen — roughly 21h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1257 mi · 21h 25m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.9% cheaper overall in McAllen than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 5.3°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 16.9% less than Peoria at the median — $93,403 → $60,165 on ACS 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 Arizona 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-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 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
How far is McAllen, TX from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 1257 mi and the route typically takes 21h 25m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $93,403 in Peoria — a 35.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 70.2°F in Peoria (5.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 9.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 1257 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $488,596 in Peoria — a 53.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.9% lower than Peoria (85.895 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,289,130 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 Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ · McAllen, TX.