Moving from Durham to McAllen (2026)
McAllen has a COL index of 78 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). You'd pay about 24% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$873/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
10278
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,750$950
per month
State tax
4.5%None
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,741
per month
Salary needed in McAllen to match your Durham lifestyle
Based on the 24% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Durham | Equivalent in McAllen |
|---|---|
| $40K | $30,588 |
| $50K | $38,235 |
| $60K | $45,882 |
| $75K | $57,353 |
| $80K | $61,176 |
| $100K | $76,471 |
| $120K | $91,765 |
| $150K | $114,706 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Durham vs McAllen
| Expense | Durham | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $950 |
| Groceries | $372 | $338 |
| Transport | $82 | $35 |
| Utilities | $155 | $165 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,038 | $3,193 |
Frequently asked questions
Is McAllen cheaper than Durham?
Yes. McAllen has a cost of living index of 78 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). That's about 24% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Durham to McAllen?
On a $75K salary, moving from Durham to McAllen could save roughly $873/month on core expenses. That's ~$10,476/year.
What salary do I need in McAllen to match my Durham lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Durham, you'd need roughly $57,353/year in McAllen. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from McAllen to DurhamDurham vs McAllen — full comparisonDurham 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