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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Fairfield

California
167

McAllen is 60% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,017/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 115%
$60,165/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 70%
$173,800 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 241%
$996/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 123%
143,789
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,174/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $14,088/year.

Median household income is $42,156/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Fairfield — common questions

Is McAllen or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Fairfield?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,174/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Fairfield?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $42,156/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

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