($1,497) Movers From McAllen, TX to San Jose, CA

What to know before moving from McAllen to San Jose

Moving from McAllen to San Jose comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Jose 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 San Jose are 129% 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 San Jose are 557.0% higher than in McAllen.
• Income in San Jose is 45.2% higher than in McAllen, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Jose, since the cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 152.2% higher than in McAllen. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 134.9% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in San Jose is 16.46% lower than in McAllen.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Jose, since the city’s sales taxes in San Jose are 13.70% higher than in McAllen.
• State income taxes in San Jose are 13.30% higher than in McAllen.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,564.86 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How life is different in McAllen vs. San Jose

• The population of San Jose is about 583% 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.
• San Jose offers better access to buses and trains than McAllen, based on public transportation ratings. San Jose has a transit score of 7 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 San Jose means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in McAllen. San Jose is considered more walkable than McAllen, with a score of 51 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, San Jose 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. San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, while McAllen is rated as 46 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Jose 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 47.73 in San Jose, 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 San Jose. With a crime index of 52.27, San Jose 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.
• The air quality in San Jose and McAllen is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your McAllen vs. San Jose move

• Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
• 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: 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While California 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 San Jose 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. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in San Jose

With your sights set on "Man Jose", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in San Jose.

Helpful moving resources