Moving from Portland, OR to McAllen, TX
A 2301 mi cross-country move between Portland and McAllen is 42h 5m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2301 mi · 42h 5m by car · OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.5% moving from Portland to McAllen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,638 in Portland to $229,001 in McAllen, a 18.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.7°F — 54.8°F in Portland vs 75.5°F in McAllen, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 18.5% less than Portland at the median — $88,792 → $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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.7°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
When is the best time to move from Portland 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 2301 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Portland vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $88,792 in Portland — a 32.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 18.5% lower than Portland (85.895 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McAllen, TX from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2301 mi and the route typically takes 42h 5m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $534,638 in Portland — a 57.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Portland and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 54.8°F in Portland (20.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 44.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · McAllen, TX.