($1,579) Movers From McAllen, TX to New York City, NY

What to know before moving from McAllen to New York City

Moving from McAllen to New York City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New York City is generally more expensive than McAllen, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New York City are 222% higher than in McAllen, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in McAllen.
  Home prices in New York City are 240.2% higher than in McAllen.
• Income in New York City is 35.9% higher than in McAllen, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in New York City, since the cost of living for a single person in New York City is 290.0% higher than in McAllen. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 324.0% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in New York City is 41.77% higher than in McAllen.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the city’s sales taxes in New York City are 3.03% lower than in McAllen.
• State income taxes in New York City are 10.90% higher than in McAllen.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $11,701.44 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How life is different in McAllen vs. New York City

• The population of New York City is about 5,707% greater than McAllen, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New York City offers better access to buses and trains than McAllen, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 3 in McAllen. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New York City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in McAllen. New York City is considered more walkable than McAllen, with a score of 88 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in McAllen. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New York City is considered more bike-friendly than McAllen in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, while McAllen is rated as 46 out of 100.
• The crime rate in New York City is higher than in McAllen, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.83 in New York City, it is 36.26 in McAllen. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in New York City. With a crime index of 49.17, New York City ranks lower in overall safety than McAllen, whose index is McAllen's 63.74. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that New York City has better air quality than in McAllen. New York City has Good air quality, compared to moderate in McAllen. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your McAllen vs. New York City move

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in New York, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While New York doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to New York City without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in New York City

With your sights set on "Big Apple", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in New York City.

Helpful moving resources