McAllen, TX Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In McAllen, TX Summary

Cost of living in McAllen research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means McAllen is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Texas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in McAllen is 79, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in McAllen is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • McAllen ranks as the #45 cheapest in Texas out of 405.

  • McAllen ranks as the #155 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in McAllen is $138,200.

  • The median income in McAllen is $52,422.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
79
McAllen's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

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 79, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Texas, McAllen has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Texas's index of 92.

The standard of living in McAllen ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 405 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies McAllen ranks as the #360 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.

For more reading on life in McAllen, check out:

45 out of 405
In Texas
155 out of 6,412
In America

McAllen Cost Of Living Vs. Texas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in McAllen. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in McAllen is 79.

  • The Groceries index in McAllen is 88.

  • The Health index in McAllen is 71.

  • The Housing index in McAllen is 69.

  • The Transportation index in McAllen is 87.

  • The Utilities index in McAllen is 103.

Living Expense McAllen Texas National Average
Overall 79 92 100
Services 79 96 100
Groceries 88 93 100
Health 71 93 100
Housing 69 84 100
Transportation 87 92 100
Utilities 103 104 100
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
McAllen Cost of Living Vs. TX

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 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in McAllen is $138,200.

  • The Median Rent in McAllen is $878.

  • The Median Income in McAllen is $52,422.

  • The Home Value To Income in McAllen is 2.6x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in McAllen is 0.2x.

Statistic McAllen Texas United States
Median Home Value $138,200 $202,600 $244,900
Median Rent $878 $1,146 $1,163
Median Income $52,422 $67,321 $69,021
Home Value To Income 2.6x 3.0x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.2x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Mcallen, TX
$138,200
Median Home Value
$878
Median Rent
$52,422
Median Income

McAllen, TX Costs By Category

Detailed McAllen Services Costs Vs. Texas

Item McAllen Texas
Shampoo $0.89 $1.06
Movie $10.25 $10.68
Bowling $15.0 $14.67
Haircut $11.21 $18.62
Beauty Salon $30.83 $39.05

Detailed McAllen Groceries Costs Vs. Texas

Item McAllen Texas
Ground Beef $4.31 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.47 $1.39
Milk $1.91 $2.05
Potatoes $2.67 $3.29
Pizza $10.32 $10.62
Beer $9.64 $9.38
Toothpaste $2.15 $2.34

Detailed McAllen Health Costs Vs. Texas

Item McAllen Texas
Optometrist $75.0 $108.57
Doctor $57.67 $116.17
Dentist $63.67 $99.13

Detailed McAllen Transportation Costs Vs. Texas

Item McAllen Texas
Gasoline $1.97 $2.22
Tire Balancing $43.33 $50.07

Detailed McAllen Utilities Costs Vs. Texas

Item McAllen Texas
All Electricity $175.49 $167.67
Phone $185.48 $175.64

Mcallen SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
6
Safety
8
Amenities
9
Education
6
Commute
8.5

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 81, 1.0x McAllen.

  • Mission, TX has a cost of living index of 79, 1.0x McAllen.

  • Pharr, TX has a cost of living index of 75, 0.9x McAllen.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. McAllen
Edinburg, TX 98,759 81 1.0x
Mission, TX 85,311 79 1.0x
Pharr, TX 78,997 75 0.9x
Weslaco, TX 40,393 74 0.9x
San Juan, TX 35,384 76 1.0x
Alamo, TX 19,644 75 0.9x
Alton, TX 17,993 77 1.0x
Donna, TX 16,743 70 0.9x
Hidalgo, TX 13,939 77 1.0x
La Homa, TX 11,924 75 0.9x

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