Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to McAllen, TX
It is 968 mi between Tuscaloosa and McAllen β roughly 18h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
968 mi Β· 18h 10m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Tuscaloosa to McAllen β $228,947 vs $229,001 (2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 18.7" |
Annual temperature rises 11.2Β°F moving to McAllen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in McAllen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.98 |
McAllen households earn about 2.1% more than Tuscaloosa at the median β $48,536 β $60,165 on 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 Alabama 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 98Β°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 (11.2Β°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 Tuscaloosa to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 968 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McAllen more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 2.1% lower than Tuscaloosa (85.895 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 968 mi and the route typically takes 18h 10m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 24.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 103,520 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· McAllen, TX.