Cost of Living: Anaheim, CA vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Anaheim

California
182
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Anaheim is 176% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,082/mo ↑ 105%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 51%
$90,583/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 34%
$771,700 ↑ 344%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 77%
$2,165/mo ↑ 117%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 54%
344,553
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Anaheim, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 182 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,065/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $12,780/year.

Median household income is $30,418/year higher in Anaheim. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Anaheim is $771,700 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anaheim vs McAllen — common questions

Is Anaheim or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 182 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Anaheim and McAllen?
Median rent in Anaheim is $2,082/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,065/month.
Which city has higher income, Anaheim or McAllen?
Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $30,418/year higher in Anaheim.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Anaheim or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Anaheim has a cost index of 182 with median rent of $2,082/mo, while McAllen has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,017/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Anaheim details → View McAllen details →

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