Santa Ana, CA to McAllen, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Santa Ana to McAllen typically costs $3,600–$8,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,595 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Santa Ana to McAllen
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to McAllen, TX typically costs $3,600–$8,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,595-mile move from Santa Ana to McAllen, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,395 for a studio apartment using a moving container.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $4,317 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $1,072 for a 3 bedroom using a rental truck.
Studio apartment
Feb 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 06, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 07, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 16, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 15, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 06, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 06, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 05, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Santa Ana to McAllen
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,700, but larger homes can run up to $10,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Santa Ana.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,100–$2,900) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from McAllen, TX to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Best Santa Ana to McAllen movers by type
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Local
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Santa Ana to McAllen
For a stress-free interstate move from Santa Ana to McAllen, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→TX movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Santa Ana to McAllen
Many movers find McAllen easier on the wallet than Santa Ana - roughly 77% less for singles and 68% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,457 for one person in McAllen versus $6,333 in Santa Ana. For a family of four, it's $3,557 compared with $11,160.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Santa Ana | McAllen | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,200 | $813 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $1,360 |
| Average home value | $843,858 | $221,244 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,283 | $57,439 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,333 | $1,457 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,160 | $3,557 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 7.9% |
| Sales tax | 9.25% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 49% lower in McAllen than in Santa Ana, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 74% lower in McAllen than in Santa Ana.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 26% less in McAllen than in Santa Ana.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in McAllen, where the cost of living for a single person is 77% less than in Santa Ana.
- Moving to McAllen could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 68% less than in Santa Ana.
- The unemployment rate in McAllen is 13% higher compared to Santa Ana, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 11% lower in McAllen than in Santa Ana. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in McAllen can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Texas has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Santa Ana with McAllen:
| Living Expense | Santa Ana | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.96 | $169.85 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.33 | $39.43 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.45 | $3.23 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.59 | $2.95 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $12.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $62.50 |
| Gym membership | $25.00 | $45.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- Eggs cost more in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- Bread is more expensive in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Santa Ana than in McAllen.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. McAllen
| Santa Ana | McAllen | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 310,227 | 142,210 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 67 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 62 | 46 |
| Crime index | 54.17 | 36.26 |
| Safety index | 45.83 | 63.74 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- McAllen's population is about 54% less than Santa Ana.
- McAllen's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Santa Ana's score of 7.
- McAllen is less walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
- McAllen has a bike-friendliness score of 46 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Santa Ana, which has a score of 62.
- McAllen's crime rate is lower than Santa Ana with a score of 36.26 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that McAllen neighborhoods are safer than 36.26% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
- McAllen is considered to be safer than Santa Ana with a safety index of 63.74 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
- Air quality in McAllen is Moderate, and in Santa Ana it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Santa Ana to McAllen move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Texas doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches McAllen smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in McAllen
Now that you've chosen The City of Palms as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in McAllen to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown McAllen
- South McAllen
- La Vista
- Dove Landing
- The Village of Westlakes
Best neighborhoods for families
- North McAllen
- Sharyland Plantation
- Tres Lagos
- Royal Oak Estates
- Tuscan Estates
Things to do in McAllen
After getting comfortable in your new Texas home, it's time to see what McAllen is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, McAllen offers cultural landmarks like the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), The McAllen Heritage Center, and Nuevo Santadar Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's McAllen Nature Center, Town Lake at Firemen's Park, and McAllen's New Park & Spray Ground — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to McAllen?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Santa Ana to McAllen are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Santa Ana are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Santa Ana to McAllen?
Because spring and fall moves from Santa Ana to McAllen are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Santa Ana to McAllen take?
A move of 1,595 miles from Santa Ana, CA to McAllen, TX generally takes four to 15 days. Movers in Santa Ana sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in McAllen is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Santa Ana?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 3 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Santa Ana offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 74 movers in Santa Ana have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 61 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
