| Index | McAllen | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 76 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in McAllen is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in McAllen is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in McAllen closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of McAllen can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 11 locals to get their views on the cost of living in McAllen. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 82% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 18% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is McAllen affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in McAllen, the median home price is 28% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 14.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with McAllen boasting a median household income of $72,662, 10.7% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In McAllen, the groceries index is 2% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In McAllen, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The McAllen cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $94,066 | $7,839 | $2,195 | $2,822 |
| Renters | $45,894 | $3,825 | $1,071 | $1,377 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Palo Blanco, TX | 62 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Tierra Dorada, TX | 0 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Evergreen, TX | 40 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Campo Verde, TX | 173 | 98 | 1.6% |
| E. Lopez, TX | 230 | 98 | 1.9% |
| McAllen, TX | 146,651 | 93 | 7.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pasadena, CA | 146,628 | 197 | 97.1% |
| Fullerton, CA | 146,103 | 175 | 75.2% |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 146,103 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Syracuse, NY | 146,063 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Dayton, OH | 145,927 | 82 | 17.9% |
| McAllen, TX | 146,651 | 93 | 7.2% |
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