Moving from West Valley City, UT to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like West Valley City, UT → McAllen, TX cover 1536 mi and about 29h 6m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1536 mi · 29h 6m by car · TX → NM → CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, US 191, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley City | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
McAllen is 14.8% cheaper than West Valley City 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 14.8% below West Valley City — $471,862 vs $229,001 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Valley City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 18.7" |
McAllen runs 20.8°F warmer on the annual average (54.7°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: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.8% between West Valley City and McAllen (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 Utah 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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 (20.8°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 West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between West Valley City and McAllen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.5°F in McAllen vs 54.7°F in West Valley City (20.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 51.9 in. Annual precipitation: 18.7 in vs 15.5 in.
Is McAllen more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.8% lower than West Valley City (85.895 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McAllen, TX from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 1536 mi and the route typically takes 29h 6m via US 84 and US 191. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $88,604 in West Valley City — a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $471,862 in West Valley City — a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Valley City 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 1536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT · McAllen, TX.