What is the cost of living in McAllen, TX?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, McAllen has an overall cost of living index of 92, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Texas, McAllen has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Texas's index of 93.
The standard of living in McAllen ranks as #147 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies McAllen ranks as the #272 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.
For more reading on life in McAllen, check out:
McAllen Cost Of Living Vs. Texas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in McAllen. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in McAllen is 98.
The Groceries index in McAllen is 100.
The Health index in McAllen is 78.
The Housing index in McAllen is 102.
The Transportation index in McAllen is 102.
The Utilities index in McAllen is 100.
| Living Expense | McAllen | Texas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 92 | 93 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 78 | 81 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 100 | 100 |
McAllen Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in McAllen Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
McAllen, TX Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in McAllen is $229,000.
The Median Rent in McAllen is $1,049.
The Median Income in McAllen is $61,579.
The Home Value To Income in McAllen is 3.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in McAllen is 0.2x.
McAllen, TX Costs By Category
Detailed McAllen Services costs vs. Texas
Detailed McAllen Groceries costs vs. Texas
Detailed McAllen Health costs vs. Texas
Detailed McAllen Transportation costs vs. Texas
Mcallen SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around McAllen
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around McAllen. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Edinburg, TX has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x McAllen.
Mission, TX has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x McAllen.
Pharr, TX has a cost of living index of 85, 0.9x McAllen.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. McAllen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburg, TX | 104,550 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Mission, TX | 87,038 | 90 | 1.0x |
| Pharr, TX | 80,333 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Weslaco, TX | 42,229 | 87 | 0.9x |
| San Juan, TX | 36,149 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Alamo, TX | 20,255 | 83 | 0.9x |
| Alton, TX | 20,214 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Donna, TX | 16,833 | 79 | 0.9x |
| Hidalgo, TX | 14,498 | 90 | 1.0x |
| La Homa, TX | 11,285 | 83 | 0.9x |
