CostIndexUSA

Garden Grove, CA vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Garden Grove
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is significantly cheaper than Garden Grove — 24.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Garden Grove, you would need $60,500 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing67.2%
Garden Grove
170.4
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries12.0%
Garden Grove
106.6
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation7.8%
Garden Grove
109.6
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare7.8%
Garden Grove
99.1
McAllen
91.4
Utilities48.8%
Garden Grove
158.6
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$60,500
$19,500 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.7562. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Garden Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

McAllen, TX

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

Garden Grove has 67.2% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Garden Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
171,949
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismTechnology

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).

Garden Grove, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.