Moving from Provo, UT to McAllen, TX
It is 1494 mi between Provo and McAllen — roughly 28h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1494 mi · 28h 19m by car · TX → NM → CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, US 281, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.6% cheaper overall in McAllen than Provo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 18.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 20.9°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Utah 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 (20.9°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
Is McAllen more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.6% lower than Provo (85.895 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Provo vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $62,800 in Provo — a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $484,203 in Provo — a 52.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 1494 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Provo and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 54.6°F in Provo (20.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 17.2 in.
How far is McAllen, TX from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1494 mi and the route typically takes 28h 19m via US 84 and US 281. The trip crosses 4 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · McAllen, TX.