CostIndexUSA

Gilbert, AZ vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Gilbert
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is significantly cheaper than Gilbert — 16.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Gilbert, you would need $66,500 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing53.9%
Gilbert
121.2
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Gilbert
95
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation7.4%
Gilbert
109.2
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare7.5%
Gilbert
98.8
McAllen
91.4
Utilities13.0%
Gilbert
93.3
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$66,500
$13,500 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8316. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Gilbert, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
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×

Gilbert has 53.9% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Gilbert, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
254,114
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceManufacturingRetail

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).

Gilbert, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.