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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Fullerton

California
195

McAllen is 129% cheaper than Fullerton.

$1,017/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↑ 109%
$60,165/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↑ 73%
$173,800 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 395%
$996/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↑ 126%
143,789
Population
141,278

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,107/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $13,284/year.

Median household income is $44,054/year higher in Fullerton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Fullerton — common questions

Is McAllen or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Fullerton?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $1,107/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Fullerton?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $44,054/year higher in Fullerton.
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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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