Moving from Billings to McAllen (2026)
McAllen has a COL index of 78 vs 89 for Billings (100 = US average). You'd pay about 12% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$279/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8978
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,200$950
per month
State tax
6.8%None
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,316$4,741
per month
Salary needed in McAllen to match your Billings lifestyle
Based on the 12% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Billings | Equivalent in McAllen |
|---|---|
| $40K | $35,056 |
| $50K | $43,820 |
| $60K | $52,584 |
| $75K | $65,730 |
| $80K | $70,112 |
| $100K | $87,640 |
| $120K | $105,169 |
| $150K | $131,461 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Billings vs McAllen
| Expense | Billings | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,316 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $950 |
| Groceries | $369 | $338 |
| Transport | $42 | $35 |
| Utilities | $148 | $165 |
| Internet | $68 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,489 | $3,193 |
Frequently asked questions
Is McAllen cheaper than Billings?
Yes. McAllen has a cost of living index of 78 vs 89 for Billings (100 = US average). That's about 12% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Billings to McAllen?
On a $75K salary, moving from Billings to McAllen could save roughly $279/month on core expenses. That's ~$3,348/year.
What salary do I need in McAllen to match my Billings lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Billings, you'd need roughly $65,730/year in McAllen. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from McAllen to BillingsBillings vs McAllen — full comparisonBillings cost of livingMcAllen cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only