salaryRent is lower than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,040 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 72 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in McAllen?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in McAllen
| Size | McAllen | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $840 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $798 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,118 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,437 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,500 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is McAllen overall?
Everyday prices in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in McAllen
Life in McAllen
What jobs pay in McAllen
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,700 | 8.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,870 | 9.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,550 | 10.0% |
| Software Developer | $116,120 | 10.6% |
| Lawyer | $115,920 | 10.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,940 | 14.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,620 | 15.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,540 | 15.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $79,370 | 15.5% |
| Operations Manager | $74,570 | 16.5% |
| Accountant | $64,470 | 19.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,110 | 19.5% |
| Police Officer | $58,360 | 21.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $56,250 | 21.9% |
| Firefighter | $50,740 | 24.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $48,350 | 25.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,170 | 26.1% |
| Truck Driver | $47,040 | 26.2% |
| Electrician | $46,930 | 26.2% |
| Plumber | $46,110 | 26.7% |
| Carpenter | $41,530 | 29.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $35,830 | 34.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,810 | 35.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,990 | 36.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $31,610 | 38.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $28,380 | 43.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,420 | 44.9% |
| Cashier | $27,020 | 45.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $20,650 | 59.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in McAllen?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $295 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $190,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in McAllen, TX?
Renting in McAllen costs a median of about $1,026 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in McAllen?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,040 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is McAllen cheap or expensive?
McAllen is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.5% of the typical household income of $66,413. It ranks 72nd cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in McAllen?
The median homeowner in McAllen pays $3,287 a year in property taxes, about 1.73% of the median home value.
Is McAllen more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in McAllen?
The median home value in McAllen is $190,400, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
145,385 people live in McAllen. Numbers are typical (middle) values.