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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Simi Valley

California
200

McAllen is 67% cheaper than Simi Valley.

$1,017/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,513/mo ↑ 147%
$60,165/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$117,703/yr ↑ 96%
$173,800 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$753,500 ↑ 334%
$996/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,576/mo ↑ 159%
143,789
Population
125,769

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Simi Valley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,496/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $17,952/year.

Median household income is $57,538/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $753,500 in Simi Valley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Simi Valley — common questions

Is McAllen or Simi Valley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Simi Valley?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Simi Valley it's $2,513/month — a difference of $1,496/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Simi Valley?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $117,703 in Simi Valley. Median household income is $57,538/year higher in Simi Valley.
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 Simi Valley?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,513/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Simi Valley details →

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