Moving from Richardson, TX to McAllen, TX
It is 515 mi between Richardson and McAllen β roughly 9h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
515 mi Β· 9h 29m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.7% cheaper overall in McAllen than Richardson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.7Β°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 16.7% less than Richardson at the median β $96,257 β $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.
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 much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McAllen more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 16.7% lower than Richardson (85.895 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 515 mi and the route typically takes 9h 29m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 515 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 37.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· McAllen, TX.