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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

San Francisco is 305% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,419/mo ↑ 138%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 58%
$141,446/yr ↑ 135%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 57%
$1,380,500 ↑ 694%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 87%
$2,620/mo ↑ 163%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 62%
836,321
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,402/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $16,824/year.

Median household income is $81,281/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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 Francisco vs McAllen — common questions

Is San Francisco or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and McAllen?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,402/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or McAllen?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $81,281/year higher in San Francisco.
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 Francisco or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 Francisco details → View McAllen details →

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