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

Moreno Valley

California
144
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Moreno Valley is 118% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,036/mo ↑ 100%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 50%
$87,477/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 31%
$461,400 ↑ 165%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 62%
$1,980/mo ↑ 99%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 50%
210,378
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

27.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Moreno Valley, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,019/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $12,228/year.

Median household income is $27,312/year higher in Moreno Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Moreno Valley is $461,400 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Moreno Valley vs McAllen — common questions

Is Moreno Valley or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Moreno Valley and McAllen?
Median rent in Moreno Valley is $2,036/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,019/month.
Which city has higher income, Moreno Valley or McAllen?
Median household income is $87,477 in Moreno Valley and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $27,312/year higher in Moreno Valley.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Moreno Valley or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Moreno Valley has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $2,036/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 Moreno Valley details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Moreno Valley and McAllen

Moreno Valley vs. Fontana Moreno Valley vs. Frisco Moreno Valley vs. Des Moines Moreno Valley vs. Rochester Moreno Valley vs. Modesto Moreno Valley vs. Fayetteville McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance