Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and McAllen, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and McAllen, TX

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 12.4% more expensive than McAllen, TX without rent, and 52.9% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Austin, TX is 23.7% more expensive than McAllen, TX without rent, and 57.7% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$14.67 $14.67
33.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$69 $69
10.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$8.2 $8.2
21.34%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.31 $4.31
30.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.62 $2.62
0.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.96 $1.96
11.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$5.12 $5.12
14.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$5.96 $5.96
32.89%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.88 $0.88
28.41%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.14 $3.14
5.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$3.15 $3.15
11.11%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$3.2 $3.2
37.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$9.78 $9.78
22.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$9.78 $9.78
9.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$15.59 $15.59
-5.52%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$4.57 $4.57
6.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.45 $1.45
4.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$3.48 $3.48
30.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$2.4 $2.4
63.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.68 $2.68
1.49%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.88 $2.88
-4.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.66 $1.66
21.08%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.09 $2.09
4.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$8.58 $8.58
3.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$12.2 $12.2
22.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.05 $2.05
14.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.46 $2.46
39.84%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$0.97 $0.97
52.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$4.1 $4.1
4.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$0.77 $0.77
136.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$29.41 $29.41
17.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.74 $0.74
-1.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$29K $29K
-12.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$22.1K $22.1K
18.78%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$176 $176
0.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$39.01 $39.01
51.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$73.9 $73.9
-12.31%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$44.72 $44.72
39.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$12.06 $12.06
22.06%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$892 $892
54.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$23.8K $23.8K
-5.84%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$68.8 $68.8
-18.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$43.94 $43.94
5.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$74.9 $74.9
15.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$95.3 $95.3
24.70%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$819 $819
167.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$697 $697
100.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$1,380 $1,380
182.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$1,137 $1,137
136.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$1,699 $1,699
159.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$1,681 $1,681
88.07%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
McAllen, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$3,757 $3,757
29.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.59
-2.12%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for McAllen, TX: October 27, 2025

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