Cost of Living: McAllen, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

McAllen

Texas
66
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

McAllen is 34% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,017/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 29%
$60,165/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 6%
$173,800 ↓ 50%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 102%
$996/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 38%
143,789
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McAllen, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $294/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $3,528/year.

Median household income is $3,735/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McAllen is $173,800 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McAllen vs Wilmington — common questions

Is McAllen or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McAllen and Wilmington?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,017/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $294/month.
Which city has higher income, McAllen or Wilmington?
Median household income is $60,165 in McAllen and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $3,735/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to McAllen or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. McAllen has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $1,017/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McAllen details → View Wilmington details →

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