Cost of Living: Richmond, VA vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Richmond

Virginia
98
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Richmond is 48% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,314/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 23%
$62,671/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 4%
$328,100 ↑ 89%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 47%
$1,374/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 28%
227,595
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Richmond, VA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 98 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $297/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $3,564/year.

Median household income is $2,506/year higher in Richmond. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Richmond is $328,100 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McAllen residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richmond vs McAllen — common questions

Is Richmond or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 98 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Richmond and McAllen?
Median rent in Richmond is $1,314/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $297/month.
Which city has higher income, Richmond or McAllen?
Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $2,506/year higher in Richmond.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Richmond or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Richmond has a cost index of 98 with median rent of $1,314/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 Richmond details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Richmond and McAllen

Richmond vs. Fremont Richmond vs. Baton Rouge Richmond vs. Santa Clarita Richmond vs. Hialeah Richmond vs. Spokane Richmond vs. San Bernardino McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance