CostIndexUSA

Macon, GA vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is slightly cheaper than Macon — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Macon, you would need $77,600 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing5.1%
Macon
58.9
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Macon
96.3
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Macon
103.6
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.5%
Macon
93.7
McAllen
91.4
Utilities9.3%
Macon
89.5
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 88.5) = salary × 0.9706. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Macon, GA

Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
58.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.2×

McAllen, TX

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

Macon has 5.1% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Macon, GA

Median Household Income
$59,800
Per Capita Income
$34,100
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
157,346
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentLogisticsEducation

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).

Macon, GA
4.2×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.