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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Berkeley

California
251

McAllen is 74% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,017/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 109%
$60,165/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 80%
$173,800 ↓ 87%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 677%
$996/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 135%
143,789
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,110/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $13,320/year.

Median household income is $48,393/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Berkeley — common questions

Is McAllen or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Berkeley?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $1,110/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Berkeley?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $48,393/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to McAllen or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Berkeley details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McAllen and Berkeley

McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance Berkeley vs. Ann Arbor Berkeley vs. Fairfield Berkeley vs. Lafayette Berkeley vs. Hartford Berkeley vs. Rochester Berkeley vs. West Palm Beach