Moving from Seattle, WA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Seattle, WA to McAllen, TX is a 2364 mi cross-country relocation — about 43h 23m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2364 mi · 43h 23m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 22.7% below Seattle — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (111.133 → 85.895, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 22.7% below Seattle — $868,680 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 22.3°F warmer on the annual average (53.2°F vs 75.5°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 22.7% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $60,165, 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.
Moving between Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 (22.3°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 does the job market in McAllen compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 53.2°F in Seattle (22.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 37.8 in.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 50.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 22.7% lower than Seattle (85.895 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2364 mi and the route typically takes 43h 23m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 73.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2364 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · McAllen, TX.