McAllen, Texas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching McAllen.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in McAllen?
McAllen, TX has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 66 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $173,800 and median rent about $1,017, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $60,165. Typical commute is 20 minutes; summer highs average 99°F. Violent-offense rates run about 96.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 66U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $173,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,017U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $60,165U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 6.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 96.6per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 99°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how McAllen compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 148,782City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $60,165Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 66ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year34% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $173,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,017City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year25% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 6.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20262.6 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 96.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)84% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2480.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)20% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 99°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 55°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals21.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 22.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals33% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 303As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
McAllen grew 12.6% from 132,093 in 2010 to 148,782 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is McAllen expensive compared to the U.S. average?
McAllen's housing cost index is 66 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($173,800 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,017 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 66 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $173,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,017 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in McAllen?
Typical ownership costs center near $173,800, while median gross rent is about $1,017 a month. Against a median household income of $60,165, rent alone is roughly 20% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $173,800
- Median rent $1,017/month
- Median household income $60,165
What is the job market like in McAllen?
County unemployment recently ran 6.8% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in McAllen is about $60,165 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 6.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $60,165
How long is the typical commute in McAllen?
Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, with Walk Score near 35/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is McAllen safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 96.6 per 100k and property about 2480.8 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 96.6 per 100k
- Property 2480.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in McAllen?
Normals show summer highs near 99°F, winter lows near 55°F, about 22.2 inches of rain, and roughly 303 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 99°F
- Winter low 55°F
- 22.2 in rain · 303 sunny days
McAllen (pop. 148,782) sits in Texas. Median household income is roughly $60,165, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 66 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $173,800 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
McAllen is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare McAllen with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Hot summers, sprawling freeways, and no state income tax dominate comparisons. Roughly 303 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment near 6.8% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 96.6 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (McAllen city, 1600000US4845384) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Hidalgo County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012959 MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10