Moving from Jackson to McAllen (2026)
McAllen has a COL index of 78 vs 79 for Jackson (100 = US average). You'd pay about 1% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$344/mo
on rent + taxes · $75K salary baseline
Change cities
Key differences
COL index
79 → 78
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,000 → $950
per month
State tax
4.7% → None
income tax
COL difference
79 → 78
1% cheaper
Salary needed in McAllen to match your Jackson lifestyle
Based on the 1% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Jackson | Equivalent in McAllen |
|---|---|
| $40K | $39,494 |
| $50K | $49,367 |
| $60K | $59,241 |
| $75K | $74,051 |
| $80K | $78,987 |
| $100K | $98,734 |
| $120K | $118,481 |
| $150K | $148,101 |
💵 Household income (before tax)
$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$69/moon core expenses at $75K
Monthly budget at $75K — Jackson vs McAllen
| Expense | Jackson | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,447 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,000 | $950 |
| Groceries | $346 | $338 |
| Transport | $38 | $35 |
| Utilities | $178 | $165 |
| Internet | $55 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,830 | $3,193 |
Frequently asked questions
Is McAllen cheaper than Jackson?
Yes. McAllen has a cost of living index of 78 vs 79 for Jackson (100 = US average). That's about 1% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Jackson to McAllen?
On a $75K salary, moving from Jackson to McAllen saves roughly $344/month on core expenses. That's ~$4,128/year.
What salary do I need in McAllen to match my Jackson lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Jackson, you'd need roughly $74,051/year in McAllen. This is based on the overall COL index difference.
Moving from McAllen to JacksonJackson vs McAllen — full comparisonJackson cost of livingMcAllen cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only