Moving from Tampa, FL to McAllen, TX
It is 1328 mi between Tampa and McAllen — roughly 24h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1328 mi · 24h 31m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.9% moving from Tampa 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 $374,888 in Tampa to $229,001 in McAllen, a 14.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 18.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 74.5°F vs 75.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.98 |
Households in McAllen earn about 14.9% less at the median — 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 Florida 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 Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 38.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.9% lower than Tampa (85.895 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 1328 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 74.5°F in Tampa (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 49.5 in.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1328 mi and the route typically takes 24h 31m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · McAllen, TX.