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

Riverside

California
144
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Riverside is 118% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,812/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 44%
$88,575/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 32%
$542,100 ↑ 212%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 68%
$1,880/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 47%
316,241
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $795/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $9,540/year.

Median household income is $28,410/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 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

Riverside vs McAllen — common questions

Is Riverside 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 Riverside and McAllen?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $795/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or McAllen?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $28,410/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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