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

Ontario

California
152
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Ontario is 130% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,916/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 47%
$82,806/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 27%
$568,000 ↑ 227%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 69%
$1,967/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 49%
178,347
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $899/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $10,788/year.

Median household income is $22,641/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 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

Ontario vs McAllen — common questions

Is Ontario or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and McAllen?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $899/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or McAllen?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $22,641/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/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 Ontario details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Ontario and McAllen

Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance