Moving from Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
It is 1673 mi and 31h 16m from Richmond to McAllen — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1673 mi · 31h 16m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has McAllen at 85.895 vs Richmond at 97.858.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $369,646 to $229,001 moving to McAllen.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 18.7" |
Expect 16.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
McAllen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.98 |
Median household incomes in Richmond ($62,671) and McAllen ($60,165) are within a few percent (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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 (16.6°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 Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.2% lower than Richmond (85.895 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 38.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 1673 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 58.9°F in Richmond (16.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 45.5 in.
How far is McAllen, TX from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 1673 mi and the route typically takes 31h 16m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 647,440 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · McAllen, TX.