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Cost of living in McAllen, TX

Livability score 78 · cost-of-living index 86.1 (US = 100)

McAllen, TX
Photo: Valleyite12 via Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

How McAllen compares

Where McAllen falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 86 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 86 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $194k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $194k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $92 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $92 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.2% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.2% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.82% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.82% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 430 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 430 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 17.0 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 17.0 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 96° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 96° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 38° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 38°

Map of McAllen

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)86.1metro-area#5 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)92.9metro-area#1 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$4.90metro-area#5 of 200
Median household income$49,371metro-area#197 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$27,396metro-area#198 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age30.3 yearsmetro-area#4 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)20.3%metro-area#194 of 200
Foreign-born residents26.0%metro-area#8 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied67.6%metro-area#82 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate7.61%metro-area#189 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+4.0%metro-area#97 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$193,978metro-area#7 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)3.9×metro-area#44 of 200
1-yr home appreciation+0.6%metro-area#122 of 200
Price per square foot$92metro-area#3 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,099 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,128metro-area#8 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)3,650
Median days on market79metro-area#200 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)8.6%state#9 of 200
Combined sales tax8.20%state#116 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate1.82%metro-area#179 of 200
Median property tax paid$2,047metro-area#67 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth77.3 yearsmetro-area#77 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,800state#93 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)30.2%metro-area#198 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k46metro-area#189 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$9,500state#37 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$75state#46 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingRequired
Emissions detailRequired in major metro counties (Travis, Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, etc.)
DMV & license offices4
Avg commute to work23 minmetro-area#58 of 200
Commute by driving alone75.8%metro-area#108 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min26.4%metro-area#51 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity17.0¢/kWhstate#90 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$153state#90 of 200
Gasoline$3.00/galstate#24 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$52state#23 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$134state#142 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$83state#135 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$3,600state#164 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$2,100state#126 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)99.0 — Relatively Highmetro-area#184 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$900state#152 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)54metro-area#168 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)3,000metro-area#162 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)95%state#27 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)1,800metro-area#27 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F163metro-area#199 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F26metro-area#195 of 200
Avg summer high (state)96°Fmetro-area#181 of 200
Avg winter low38°Fmetro-area#46 of 200
Annual precipitation32.4"metro-area#50 of 200
Annual snowfall0.0"metro-area#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)67%metro-area#45 of 200
Plant hardiness zone8b
Frost window02-25 → 12-01

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)430state#111 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,400state#131 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores120metro-area#5 of 200
Parks60
Hiking areas15
Golf courses15
Shooting ranges4
Lakes4

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally easy; rural areas minimal, major cities moderate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in McAllen

Major public and private employers in the McAllen, TX area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Healthcare Search →
Edinburg Regional Medical Center Healthcare Search →
T-Mobile telecom Careers →
Spectrum telecom Search →
Panasonic Manufacturing Careers →
General Electric Aviation Aerospace/Defense Careers →

Salaries by occupation in McAllen

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $172,200
Pharmacists $139,240
Physician Assistants $124,990
Financial Managers $117,550
Lawyers $102,590
Human Resources Managers $101,910
Marketing Managers $100,400
Physical Therapists $99,200
Software Developers $97,420
Mechanical Engineers $86,620
Registered Nurses $76,160
Construction Managers $75,520
Dental Hygienists $73,670
Data Scientists $73,270
Civil Engineers $69,350
General & Operations Managers $66,570
Accountants & Auditors $63,320
Elementary School Teachers $62,250
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,890
Web Developers $59,060
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $45,090
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $44,870
Electricians $44,000
Carpenters $40,150
Graphic Designers $40,010
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $37,910
Real Estate Sales Agents $35,010
Medical Assistants $28,650

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