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

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Ventura

California
183

McAllen is 64% cheaper than Ventura.

$1,017/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,101/mo ↑ 107%
$60,165/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$100,407/yr ↑ 67%
$173,800 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$778,700 ↑ 348%
$996/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$2,118/mo ↑ 113%
143,789
Population
109,900

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Ventura, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 183 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,084/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $13,008/year.

Median household income is $40,242/year higher in Ventura. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $778,700 in Ventura.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Ventura — common questions

Is McAllen or Ventura cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 183 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Ventura?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Ventura it's $2,101/month — a difference of $1,084/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Ventura?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $100,407 in Ventura. Median household income is $40,242/year higher in Ventura.
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 Ventura?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Ventura has a cost index of 183 with rent of $2,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Ventura details →

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