Moving from Tulsa, OK to McAllen, TX
It is 780 mi between Tulsa and McAllen — roughly 13h 57m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
780 mi · 13h 57m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.7% above Tulsa — $217,450 → $229,001 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 14.2°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Oklahoma 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.2°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
When is the best time to move from Tulsa 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 780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 3.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 3.7% lower than Tulsa (85.895 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (14.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 41.0 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 5.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 780 mi and the route typically takes 13h 57m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · McAllen, TX.