CostIndexUSA

Idaho Falls, ID vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Idaho Falls — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Idaho Falls, you would need $72,800 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.5%
Idaho Falls
84
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Idaho Falls
96.2
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Idaho Falls
103.9
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Idaho Falls
94
McAllen
91.4
Utilities+16.5%
Idaho Falls
69.7
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 94.4) = salary × 0.9100. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$399,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8×

McAllen, TX

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

Idaho Falls has 33.5% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$75,800
Per Capita Income
$43,200
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
64,818
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

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).

Idaho Falls, ID
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.