$40K in Madison = $32,165 in McAllen
Your $40K salary in Madison (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $32,165 in McAllen (COL 78). McAllen is cheaper — your money goes 20% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Madison $40K | McAllen $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,472 | $2,728 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $950 |
| Groceries | $384 | $338 |
| Transport | $62 | $35 |
| Utilities | $162 | $165 |
| Internet | $63 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $151/month | $1,180/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Madison equivalent to in McAllen?
$40K in Madison (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $32,165 in McAllen (COL index 78). That's 20% less than your current salary.
If I move from Madison to McAllen keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to McAllen, you'd have $1,029 more per month after core expenses — because McAllen is cheaper than Madison.
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: $40K × (78 ÷ 97) = $32,165. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Madison to McAllen
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only