Moving from Sacramento, CA to McAllen, TX
A 1975 mi cross-country move between Sacramento and McAllen is 34h 19m 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.
1975 mi · 34h 19m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.5% moving from Sacramento 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 $479,766 in Sacramento to $229,001 in McAllen, a 19.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 12.1°F moving to McAllen per NOAA 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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 19.5% less than Sacramento at the median — $83,753 → $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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 (12.1°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
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 19.5% lower than Sacramento (85.895 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 1975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (12.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 19.2 in.
How far is McAllen, TX from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 1975 mi and the route typically takes 34h 19m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,048,170 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · McAllen, TX.