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

San Bernardino

California
109
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

San Bernardino is 65% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,433/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 29%
$63,988/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 6%
$384,900 ↑ 121%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 55%
$1,478/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 33%
221,774
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Bernardino, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 109 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $416/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $4,992/year.

Median household income is $3,823/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Bernardino is $384,900 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

San Bernardino vs McAllen — common questions

Is San Bernardino or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Bernardino and McAllen?
Median rent in San Bernardino is $1,433/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $416/month.
Which city has higher income, San Bernardino or McAllen?
Median household income is $63,988 in San Bernardino and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $3,823/year higher in San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with median rent of $1,433/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 Bernardino details → View McAllen details →

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