CostIndexUSA

Glendale, AZ vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

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

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

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

Category Breakdown

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

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

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Glendale 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

Glendale, 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×

Glendale has 53.9% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
248,325
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailManufacturingTourismGovernment

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).

Glendale, 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.