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

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Jacksonville is 39% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,375/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 26%
$66,981/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 10%
$266,100 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 35%
$1,324/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 25%
961,739
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $358/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $4,296/year.

Median household income is $6,816/year higher in Jacksonville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs McAllen — common questions

Is Jacksonville or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and McAllen?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $358/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or McAllen?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $6,816/year higher in Jacksonville.
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 Jacksonville or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/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 Jacksonville details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Jacksonville and McAllen

Jacksonville vs. Austin Jacksonville vs. Fort Worth Jacksonville vs. San Jose Jacksonville vs. Columbus Jacksonville vs. Dallas Jacksonville vs. Charlotte McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance