CostIndexUSA

McAllen, TX vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

McAllen is significantly cheaper than Stockton — 22.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in McAllen, you would need $97,900 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+106.8%
McAllen
55.9
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
McAllen
93.8
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
McAllen
101.1
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
McAllen
91.4
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+94.8%
McAllen
81.2
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$97,900
$17,900 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.2235. 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×

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Stockton has 106.8% 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

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

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)

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.