Cost of living index
McAllen, TX
85.9 / 100
Living in McAllen, TX is 14.1% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
85.9
Housing / rent
55.9
vs US average
−14.1%
What it costs to live in McAllen, TX
McAllen, TX has an overall price level of 85.9 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 14.1% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 55.9 it is 44.1% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is McAllen, TX an expensive place to live?
McAllen, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 85.9, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 14.1% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in McAllen, TX?
Housing in McAllen, TX scores 55.9 against a US average of 100 — roughly 44.1% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does McAllen, TX compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in McAllen, TX sit at 85.9 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 55.9. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.