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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

McAllen is 79% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,017/mo ↓ 66%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 194%
$60,165/yr ↓ 65%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 189%
$173,800 ↓ 89%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 779%
$996/mo ↓ 67%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 206%
143,789
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,968/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $23,616/year.

Median household income is $113,505/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is McAllen or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Santa Clara?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,968/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $113,505/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

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