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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Palmdale is 97% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,736/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 41%
$81,151/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 26%
$435,300 ↑ 150%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 60%
$1,831/mo ↑ 84%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 46%
165,487
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $719/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $8,628/year.

Median household income is $20,986/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 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

Palmdale vs McAllen — common questions

Is Palmdale or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and McAllen?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $719/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or McAllen?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $20,986/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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