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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Huntington Beach is 244% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,424/mo ↑ 138%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 58%
$119,885/yr ↑ 99%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 50%
$1,047,300 ↑ 503%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 83%
$2,436/mo ↑ 145%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 59%
196,010
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,407/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $16,884/year.

Median household income is $59,720/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 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

Huntington Beach vs McAllen — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and McAllen?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,407/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or McAllen?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $59,720/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Huntington Beach or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/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 Huntington Beach details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and McAllen

Huntington Beach vs. Overland Park Huntington Beach vs. Peoria Huntington Beach vs. Sioux Falls Huntington Beach vs. Knoxville Huntington Beach vs. Grand Rapids Huntington Beach vs. Vancouver McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance