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

San Jose

California
254
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

San Jose is 285% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,617/mo ↑ 157%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 61%
$141,565/yr ↑ 135%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 58%
$1,187,800 ↑ 583%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 85%
$2,775/mo ↑ 179%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 64%
990,054
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,600/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $19,200/year.

Median household income is $81,400/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs McAllen — common questions

Is San Jose or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and McAllen?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,600/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or McAllen?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $81,400/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View McAllen details →

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