Moving from Fort Worth to McAllen, TX
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Quick answer: Moving from Fort Worth to McAllen costs between $523 to $9,572 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 501-mile route within Texas take 1 to 6 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Fort Worth to McAllen
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Fort Worth to McAllen are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Fort Worth to driving and unloading in McAllen, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 501 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $2,338 - $6,542 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,535 - $2,823 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $531 - $1,052 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Simple Moving Labor | $80/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Fort Worth to McAllen?
It costs between $523 to $9,572 to move from Fort Worth to McAllen. The prices below break down your 501-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,533 - $9,572
- Moving containers: $1,117 - $3,665
- Rental trucks: $523 - $1,373
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,533 - $4,484 | $1,117 - $2,126 | $523 - $906 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,338 - $6,542 | $1,535 - $2,823 | $531 - $1,052 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,343 - $9,572 | $2,041 - $3,665 | $689 - $1,373 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $306 - $2,550+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $80/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $80/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $204 - $816 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $51 - $204 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Fort Worth to McAllen
At 501 miles, your Fort Worth to McAllen move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Fort Worth to McAllen. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Texas, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 501 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Fort Worth to McAllen. They've been in business since 2024 (2 years of experience) and 92.1% of their 189 verified reviews are positive.
More Texas moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our McAllen to Fort Worth guide.
Considerations when moving from Fort Worth to McAllen
Cost of living: Fort Worth vs. McAllen
When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth and McAllen, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in McAllen stacks up against Fort Worth.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Fort Worth | McAllen | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,773 | $1,350 |
| Average home cost | $270,851 | $173,919 |
| Average income (per capita) | $76,602 | $60,165 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,784 | $1,457 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,842 | $3,557 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 7.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
- Rent in McAllen is about 24% cheaper than in Fort Worth, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in McAllen are 36% lower than in Fort Worth, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in McAllen is 21% lower than in Fort Worth. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in McAllen is 48% lower than in Fort Worth. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in McAllen is 48% lower than in Fort Worth. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in McAllen is 119% higher than in Fort Worth. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Since sales taxes are the same in McAllen and Fort Worth, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,560 in McAllen to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Fort Worth.
How life is different in Fort Worth vs. McAllen
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in McAllen vs. Fort Worth. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Fort Worth | McAllen | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 918,915 | 142,210 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56-42 | Democratic 58-41 |
| Summer high | 96ºF | 96ºF |
| Winter low | 35ºF | 49ºF |
| Annual rain | 37" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 1" | 0" |
| Crime index | 43.19 | 36.26 |
McAllen sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that McAllen has about 85% fewer people than Fort Worth. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, McAllen leaned Democratic, while Fort Worth went Republican.
- Both McAllen and Fort Worth average summer highs close to 96°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- In the coldest months, Fort Worth gets chillier than McAllen, with lows dipping to 35°F while McAllen only drops to 49°F.
- Fort Worth tends to be wetter than McAllen, averaging 37 inches of annual rainfall compared to McAllen’s 22 inches.
- McAllen has no annual snowfall, while Fort Worth averages about 1 inch per year. A move here means saying goodbye to snowy winters.
- McAllen is safer than Fort Worth, boasting a lower crime index of 36.26 compared to Fort Worth’s 43.19.
Things to do in McAllen
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? McAllen has you covered.
Museums in McAllen
- International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)
- The McAllen Heritage Center
- Nuevo Santadar Gallery
Parks in McAllen
- McAllen Nature Center
- Town Lake at Firemen's Park
- McAllen's New Park & Spray Ground
Sports teams in McAllen
Universities in McAllen
- South Texas College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Fort Worth to McAllen?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Fort Worth to McAllen, expect to pay between $1,401 and $3,683 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $2,338 and $6,542. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $4,343 up to $9,572 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Fort Worth to McAllen?
If you’re moving from Fort Worth to McAllen and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $768 and go up to $1,849. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,535 and $2,823. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $2,041 and $3,665.
How much is a moving truck from Fort Worth to McAllen?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $483 to $924. A larger move will cost $531 to $1,052, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Fort Worth to McAllen costs from $689 to $1,373.
How far in advance should I book Fort Worth-to-McAllen movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Fort Worth to McAllen at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Fort Worth-to-McAllen movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to McAllen?
To save money on your move to McAllen, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
