CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Lansing — 9.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $72,300 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.1%
Lansing
83.5
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lansing
93.7
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.3%
Lansing
104.5
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.4%
Lansing
94.6
McAllen
91.4
Utilities15.0%
Lansing
95.5
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$72,300
$7,700 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 95) = salary × 0.9042. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lansing, MI

Median Home Price
$234,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0×

McAllen, TX

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

Lansing has 33.1% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Lansing, MI

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
112,644
Top Industries
GovernmentAutomotiveHealthcareEducationFinance

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).

Lansing, MI
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.