Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Cape Coral is 73% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,751/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 42%
$76,062/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 21%
$339,200 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 49%
$1,523/mo ↑ 53%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 35%
206,387
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $734/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $8,808/year.

Median household income is $15,897/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs McAllen — common questions

Is Cape Coral or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and McAllen?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $734/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or McAllen?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $15,897/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/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 Cape Coral details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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