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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

McAllen is 71% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,017/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 135%
$60,165/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 83%
$173,800 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 507%
$996/mo ↓ 60%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 147%
143,789
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,378/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $16,536/year.

Median household income is $49,908/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is McAllen or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,378/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $49,908/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Costa Mesa details →

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