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

San Diego

California
197
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

San Diego is 198% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,223/mo ↑ 119%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 54%
$104,321/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 42%
$848,500 ↑ 388%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 80%
$2,308/mo ↑ 132%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 57%
1,385,061
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,206/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $14,472/year.

Median household income is $44,156/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 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 Diego vs McAllen — common questions

Is San Diego or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and McAllen?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,206/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or McAllen?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $44,156/year higher in San Diego.
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 Diego or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 Diego details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

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