Moving from Rialto, CA to McAllen, TX
A 1544 mi cross-country move between Rialto and McAllen is 26h 34m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 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.
1544 mi · 26h 34m 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, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.3% cheaper overall in McAllen than Rialto on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 8.9°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: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 19.3% less than Rialto at the median — $85,521 → $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 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
Is McAllen more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 19.3% lower than Rialto (85.895 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1544 mi and the route typically takes 26h 34m 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 Rialto 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 1544 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 29.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 66.6°F in Rialto (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 9.9 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 61.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · McAllen, TX.