Is Austin, TX cheaper than McAllen, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 12.0% more expensive than McAllen, TX. This translates to spending an extra $902 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in McAllen, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in McAllen, TX, you'd need approximately $160,823.89 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between McAllen, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 50.4% more expensive than in McAllen, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,408/month in McAllen, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from McAllen, TX to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $902 more per month than McAllen, TX, or $10824 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

McAllen, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 McAllen, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Laredo, TX area

Current salary in McAllen, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $902/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 12.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$902

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$10.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

McAllen, TX

Population:147K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$191K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:112

Median Home:$558K

McAllen, TX

The Lone Star State

147K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 147K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: McAllen, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	McAllen, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,917/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $967more	50.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,457/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $173less	11.9%
🏥Healthcare	$535/mo	$589/mo	↑ $53.92more	10.1%
📦Other	$1,767/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $26.17less	1.5%
⚡All Utilities	$524/mo	$541/mo	↑ $17.01more	3.2%
🛒Groceries	$969/mo	$959/mo	↓ $9.51less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 50.4%

McAllen, TX

$1,917

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$967

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.9%

McAllen, TX

$1,457

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$173

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 10.1%

McAllen, TX

$535

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$53.92

📦Other

↓ 1.5%

McAllen, TX

$1,767

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$26.17

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.2%

McAllen, TX

$524

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$17.01

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

McAllen, TX

$969

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$9.51

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,112

To$1,585

↑ $473

1 Bed

From$1,124

To$1,685

↑ $561

2 Bed

From$1,408

To$1,995

↑ $587

3 Bed

From$1,827

To$2,525

↑ $698

McAllen, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $930–$1,050/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,169

Monthly in McAllen, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$829

Difference

Home Values

McAllen

Austin

$191K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +37.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$178K - $260K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 192% more expensive than McAllen

Calculate payment - McAllen Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

McAllen, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

McAllen, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.