CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 25.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $59,400 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing71.3%
Fremont
194.7
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries13.5%
Fremont
108.5
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation9.3%
Fremont
111.5
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare9.4%
Fremont
100.9
McAllen
91.4
Utilities53.0%
Fremont
172.6
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$59,400
$20,600 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.7431. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

McAllen, TX

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

Fremont has 71.3% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.