McAllen, TX to San Bernardino, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from McAllen to San Bernardino typically costs $3,400–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,540 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from McAllen to San Bernardino
Moving from McAllen, TX to San Bernardino, CA typically costs $3,400–$7,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,540-mile move from McAllen to San Bernardino, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,491 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $6,269 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,331 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
Key factors that influence moving costs from McAllen to San Bernardino
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,400, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $10,700.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in McAllen, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,100–$3,000) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from San Bernardino, CA to McAllen, TX guide.
Best McAllen to San Bernardino movers by type
|
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from McAllen to San Bernardino
If you want to simplify your interstate move from McAllen to San Bernardino, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
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
How we chose the best TX→CA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 291 Texas moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from McAllen to San Bernardino
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - San Bernardino runs about 41% higher for singles and 26% higher for families than McAllen.
Singles spend around $2,054 in San Bernardino versus $1,457 in McAllen; families pay $4,469 compared with $3,557.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| McAllen | San Bernardino | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $813 | $1,938 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,360 | $2,550 |
| Average home value | $221,244 | $481,419 |
| Average income (per capita) | $57,439 | $55,372 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,457 | $2,054 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,557 | $4,469 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 13.3% |
- Rent is estimated to be 44% higher in San Bernardino compared to McAllen; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 118% greater in San Bernardino than in McAllen.
- Fortunately, the average income in San Bernardino and McAllen is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Bernardino, since the cost of living for a single person in San Bernardino is 41% higher than in McAllen. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to San Bernardino, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in San Bernardino is 26% greater than in McAllen.
- In San Bernardino, the unemployment rate is approximately 34% higher than in McAllen, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 6% in San Bernardino over McAllen, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- California has a state income tax, while Texas does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between McAllen and San Bernardino:
| Living Expense | McAllen | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $169.85 | $226.85 |
| Cell phone plan | $39.43 | $61.89 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.23 | $5.45 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.95 | $4.59 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $62.50 | $65.00 |
| Gym membership | $45.00 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in McAllen than in San Bernardino, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
- Eggs are less expensive in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
- Bread costs less in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
- A quick meal is cheaper in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
- Gym memberships cost more in McAllen than in San Bernardino.
How life is different in McAllen vs. San Bernardino
| McAllen | San Bernardino | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,210 | 222,101 |
| Transportation score | 3 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 41 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 46 | 44 |
| Crime index | 36.26 | 73.87 |
| Safety index | 63.74 | 26.13 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- San Bernardino's population is about 56% greater than McAllen.
- San Bernardino's public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than McAllen's score of 3.
- San Bernardino is more walkable than McAllen with a score of 45 out of 100 vs McAllen's 41 out of 100.
- Both San Bernardino and McAllen have similar bike-friendliness scores (46 vs 44), meaning San Bernardino is about as safe for cyclists as McAllen. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- San Bernardino's crime rate is higher than McAllen with a score of 73.87 compared to McAllen's 36.26. This means that San Bernardino neighborhoods are safer than 73.87% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and McAllen neighborhoods are safer than 36.26%.
- San Bernardino is considered to be less safe than McAllen with a score of 26.13 vs McAllen's 63.74.
- Air quality in San Bernardino is Moderate, and in McAllen it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your McAllen to San Bernardino move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: California doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to San Bernardino. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in San Bernardino
Now that you've decided to make the move to , these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Bernardino.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- South Pointe
- Riverview
- North International
- Valley View
- Seccombe Lane
Best neighborhoods for families
- Riverview
- South Pointe
- Small Canyon
- Thompson
- Crossroads
Things to do in San Bernardino
Once you're settled into your new home in California, it's time to get out and discover what San Bernardino has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout San Bernardino, such as the Original McDonald's Site and Museum, San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum, Norton AFB Museum, and Inland Empire Military Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Glen Helen Regional Park and Blair Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Inland Empire 66ers (Baseball)California State University of San Bernardino Coyotes game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from McAllen to San Bernardino?
The best time to move from McAllen to San Bernardino is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in McAllen.
When is the cheapest time to move from McAllen to San Bernardino?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from McAllen to San Bernardino, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from McAllen to San Bernardino take?
Moving from McAllen, TX to San Bernardino, CA covers 1,540 miles and usually takes four to 15 days. Need to move faster? Some McAllen movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in San Bernardino.
Who can move pianos or antiques in McAllen?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 5 movers in McAllen advertise piano moving expertise. 2 movers in McAllen provide antique moving services. State totals show 176 piano movers and 120 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.