CostIndexUSA

Lincoln, NE vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Lincoln — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $75,000 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.6%
Lincoln
84.2
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lincoln
94.1
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Lincoln
97.6
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Lincoln
88.3
McAllen
91.4
Utilities+5.7%
Lincoln
76.8
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$75,000
$5,000 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 0.9378. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

McAllen, TX

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

Lincoln has 33.6% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

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).

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.