Arlington, TX vs McAllen, TX

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TX and McAllen, TX is dramatic. McAllen is 33.8% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 101 while McAllen sits at 75, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,017/month in McAllen — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McAllen is more affordable at $173,800 median vs $276,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $60,165 in McAllen (+22.2%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.3% in McAllen.