Moving from Simi Valley, CA to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Simi Valley, CA → McAllen, TX cover 1630 mi and about 28h 10m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1630 mi · 28h 10m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Simi Valley | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen come in 22.3% under Simi Valley — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 22.3% under Simi Valley at $844,909 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Simi Valley | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 9.2°F on the annual average — 66.3°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: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 22.3% between Simi Valley and McAllen (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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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 Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley 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 1630 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is McAllen, TX from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1630 mi and the route typically takes 28h 10m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McAllen more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 22.3% lower than Simi Valley (85.895 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $844,909 in Simi Valley — a 72.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $117,703 in Simi Valley — a 48.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Simi Valley and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 66.3°F in Simi Valley (9.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 16.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA · McAllen, TX.