Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Nashville is 67% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,486/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 32%
$75,197/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 20%
$383,100 ↑ 120%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 55%
$1,471/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 32%
684,298
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $469/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $5,628/year.

Median household income is $15,032/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs McAllen — common questions

Is Nashville or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and McAllen?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $469/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or McAllen?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $15,032/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Texas?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View McAllen details →

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