Moving from San Antonio, TX to McAllen, TX
It is a 242 mi drive, roughly 4h 28m, between San Antonio, TX and McAllen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
242 mi · 4h 28m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 37 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.3% moving from San Antonio to McAllen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in McAllen run about 9.3% cheaper — ZHVI $249,810 → $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.5°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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.98 |
Household income lines up — $62,917 vs $60,165 on ACS 5-year 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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 242 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 San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 8.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 4.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 242 mi and the route typically takes 4h 28m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 9.3% lower than San Antonio (85.895 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 34.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · McAllen, TX.