Cost of Living: McAllen, TX vs Dayton, OH (2026)

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

McAllen is 32% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,017/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 15%
$60,165/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 28%
$173,800 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 46%
$996/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 16%
143,789
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $151/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $1,812/year.

Median household income is $16,711/year higher in McAllen. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Dayton — common questions

Is McAllen or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Dayton?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $151/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Dayton?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $16,711/year higher in McAllen.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Ohio?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to McAllen or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Dayton details →

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