CostIndexUSA

McAllen, TX vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
FL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Panama City — 13.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in McAllen, you would need $90,600 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+72.5%
McAllen
55.9
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
McAllen
93.8
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
McAllen
101.1
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
McAllen
91.4
Panama City
93.9
Utilities+8.5%
McAllen
81.2
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$90,600
$10,600 more needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.1327. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

McAllen, TX

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

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Panama City has 72.5% higher housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

McAllen, TX

Median Household Income
$53,700
Per Capita Income
$30,600
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
142,212
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareRetailGovernmentEducation

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

McAllen, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.