Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Arlington is 208% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,275/mo ↑ 124%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 55%
$140,160/yr ↑ 133%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 57%
$864,800 ↑ 398%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 80%
$2,414/mo ↑ 142%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 59%
235,463
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,258/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $15,096/year.

Median household income is $79,995/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs McAllen — common questions

Is Arlington or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and McAllen?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,258/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or McAllen?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $79,995/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/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 Arlington details → View McAllen details →

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