Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Mesa is 62% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,478/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 31%
$78,779/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 24%
$364,300 ↑ 110%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 52%
$1,404/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 29%
507,478
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $461/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $5,532/year.

Median household income is $18,614/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs McAllen — common questions

Is Mesa or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and McAllen?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $461/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or McAllen?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $18,614/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/mo, while McAllen has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,017/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Mesa details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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