Moving from Savannah, GA to McAllen, TX
The drive from Savannah, GA to McAllen, TX runs 1313 mi — about 24h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1313 mi · 24h 45m by car · GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 65, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 9.8% below Savannah — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 9.8% under Savannah at $326,509 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 8.0°F on the annual average — 67.5°F → 75.5°F.
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: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.98 |
Income steps up 9.8%: $56,782 in Savannah vs $60,165 in McAllen.
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 Georgia 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.
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
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 29.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 9.8% lower than Savannah (85.895 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 67.5°F in Savannah (8.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 48.1 in.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 6.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 1313 mi and the route typically takes 24h 45m via I 10 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Savannah 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 1313 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · McAllen, TX.