Cost of Living: McAllen, TX vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

McAllen is 27% cheaper than North Charleston.

$1,017/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 34%
$60,165/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↑ 4%
$173,800 ↓ 35%
Home Value
$267,700 ↑ 54%
$996/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 32%
143,789
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $347/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $4,164/year.

Median household income is $2,624/year higher in North Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs North Charleston — common questions

Is McAllen or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and North Charleston?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $347/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or North Charleston?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $2,624/year higher in North Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to McAllen or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View North Charleston details →

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