Can I Afford to Live in McAllen vs Barcelona on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

McAllen, TX
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (13% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Barcelona, ES
$5,005/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

McAllen
TX
Barcelona
ES
Monthly take-home (est.)
$7,155Best ✓
$5,005
1BR rent
$950Best ✓
$1,300
Groceries (est.)
$338Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$35Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$165
$100Best ✓
Internet
$60
$35Best ✓
Left after essentials
$5,607/month
$3,040/month
McAllen (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Barcelona (ES rate: 21.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in McAllen?

At $120K/year in McAllen, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 13% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Barcelona?

At $120K/year in Barcelona, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,005. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

McAllen leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,607/month vs $3,040/month in Barcelona.

Can I afford to live alone in McAllen on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in McAllen, rent takes 13% of your take-home, leaving $5,607/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — McAllen vs Barcelona

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only