Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to McAllen, TX
The drive from West Palm Beach, FL to McAllen, TX runs 1468 mi β about 27h 11m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1468 mi Β· 27h 11m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 59, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen come in 24.8% under West Palm Beach β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 24.8% under West Palm Beach at $399,471 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 18.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.8Β°F vs 75.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.98 |
Income steps down 24.8%: $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $60,165 in McAllen.
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 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.
- 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
Is McAllen more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 24.8% lower than West Palm Beach (85.895 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 42.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 13.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McAllen, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1468 mi and the route typically takes 27h 11m via I 10 and US 59. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1468 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· McAllen, TX.