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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Long Beach is 156% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,803/mo ↑ 77%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 44%
$83,969/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 28%
$762,200 ↑ 339%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 77%
$1,890/mo ↑ 90%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 47%
458,491
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $786/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $9,432/year.

Median household income is $23,804/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 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

Long Beach vs McAllen — common questions

Is Long 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 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and McAllen?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $786/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or McAllen?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $23,804/year higher in Long 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 Long Beach or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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.
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