Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Kansas City is 21% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,186/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 14%
$67,449/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 11%
$227,000 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 23%
$1,205/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 17%
508,233
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $169/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $2,028/year.

Median household income is $7,284/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs McAllen — common questions

Is Kansas City or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and McAllen?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $169/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or McAllen?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $7,284/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Texas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/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 Kansas City details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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