$80K in El Paso = $78,000 in McAllen
Your $80K salary in El Paso (COL 80) has the same purchasing power as $78,000 in McAllen (COL 78). McAllen is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | El Paso $80K | McAllen $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,050 | $950 |
| Groceries | $346 | $338 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,386/month | $3,509/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in El Paso equivalent to in McAllen?
$80K in El Paso (COL index 80) has the same purchasing power as $78,000 in McAllen (COL index 78). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from El Paso to McAllen keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to McAllen, you'd have $123 more per month after core expenses — because McAllen is cheaper than El Paso.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (78 ÷ 80) = $78,000. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — El Paso to McAllen
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only