McAllen wins overall by ~3% (COL index)
Cost of living: El Paso vs McAllen (2026)
A $60,000 salary in El Paso buys roughly what $58,500 does in McAllen (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,471/yr
Favoring McAllen for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $123/mo in McAllen, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | El Paso Texas | McAllen Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850 | $750Better | McAllen wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in McAllen |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050 | $950Better | McAllen wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in McAllen |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400 | $1,250Better | McAllen wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in McAllen |
| Median home price | $215K | $185KWins | McAllen wins −$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91 | 89Better | McAllen wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11 | $10Better | McAllen wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46 | $42Better | McAllen wins −$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40 | $35Wins | McAllen wins −$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00 | $2.98Better | McAllen wins −$0.02 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162 | $158Better | McAllen wins −$4/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $165Better | McAllen wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48KWins | $42K | El Paso wins −$6K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00 | $12.00Better | McAllen wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32 | $28Wins | McAllen wins −$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | McAllen wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 80 | 78Better | McAllen wins -2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Better | 26 | El Paso wins -2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
McAllen fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in McAllen.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than McAllen?
No. McAllen is 3% cheaper than El Paso based on overall cost of living indices (78 vs 80, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in El Paso vs McAllen?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,050/month and in McAllen is $950/month. El Paso is more expensive by 11%.
How much do I need to earn in McAllen to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,125/year in McAllen to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — El Paso or McAllen?
McAllen has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. McAllen has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from El Paso to McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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