Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs McAllen, TX (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

San Antonio is 24% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,258/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 19%
$62,917/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 4%
$219,700 ↑ 26%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 21%
$1,235/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 19%
1,458,954
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $241/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $2,892/year.

Median household income is $2,752/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs McAllen — common questions

Is San Antonio or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and McAllen?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $241/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or McAllen?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $2,752/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View McAllen details →

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