CostIndexUSA

Elk Grove, CA vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is significantly cheaper than Elk Grove — 19.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Elk Grove, you would need $64,400 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing57.1%
Elk Grove
130.2
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Elk Grove
105.2
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Elk Grove
105.3
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Elk Grove
95.3
McAllen
91.4
Utilities46.3%
Elk Grove
151.3
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Elk Grove to see what you'd need to earn in McAllen to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$64,400
$15,600 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 106.7) = salary × 0.8051. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

McAllen, TX

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
55.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Elk Grove has 57.1% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

McAllen, TX

Median Household Income
$53,700
Per Capita Income
$30,600
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
142,212
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareRetailGovernmentEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

McAllen, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.