Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to McAllen, TX
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to McAllen, TX is a 1723 mi cross-country relocation — about 32h 31m of driving through 8 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.
1723 mi · 32h 31m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 12.3% cheaper than Virginia Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McAllen is 12.3% below Virginia Beach — $427,032 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 15.7°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°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: OCEANA NAS, VA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.98 |
Median household income in McAllen is 12.3% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 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 Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 (15.7°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 Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 1723 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 12.3% lower than Virginia Beach (85.895 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 46.6 in.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 46.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McAllen, TX from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 1723 mi and the route typically takes 32h 31m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 8 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · McAllen, TX.