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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Murrieta

California
175

McAllen is 62% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,017/mo ↓ 56%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 129%
$60,165/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 82%
$173,800 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 249%
$996/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 139%
143,789
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,313/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $15,756/year.

Median household income is $49,615/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Murrieta — common questions

Is McAllen or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Murrieta?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,313/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Murrieta?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $49,615/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Murrieta details →

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