Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Santa Ana is 147% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,975/mo ↑ 94%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 49%
$88,354/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 32%
$657,800 ↑ 278%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 74%
$1,965/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 49%
311,639
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $958/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $11,496/year.

Median household income is $28,189/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 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

Santa Ana vs McAllen — common questions

Is Santa Ana or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and McAllen?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $958/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or McAllen?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $28,189/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and McAllen

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