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

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: McAllen, TX is 11% cheaper than Austin, TX without rent, and 34.6% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: McAllen, TX is 19.2% cheaper than Austin, TX without rent, and 36.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.67 $14.67
$19.64 $19.64
-25.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69 $69
$76.2 $76.2
-9.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.2 $8.2
$9.95 $9.95
-17.59%
Cappuccino
$4.31 $4.31
$5.61 $5.61
-23.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$2.64 $2.64
-0.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.19 $2.19
-10.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.12 $5.12
$5.84 $5.84
-12.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.96 $5.96
$7.92 $7.92
-24.75%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.13 $1.13
-22.12%
White Bread (500g)
$3.14 $3.14
$3.3 $3.3
-4.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$3.5 $3.5
-10.00%
Eggs
$3.2 $3.2
$4.4 $4.4
-27.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.78 $9.78
$12 $12
-18.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.78 $9.78
$10.68 $10.68
-8.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.59 $15.59
$14.73 $14.73
5.84%
Apples (1kg)
$4.57 $4.57
$4.88 $4.88
-6.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.52 $1.52
-4.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.48 $3.48
$4.53 $4.53
-23.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.4 $2.4
$3.92 $3.92
-38.78%
Potato (1kg)
$2.68 $2.68
$2.72 $2.72
-1.47%
Onion (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$2.76 $2.76
4.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.66 $1.66
$2.01 $2.01
-17.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.18 $2.18
-4.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.58 $8.58
$8.86 $8.86
-3.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.2 $12.2
$14.96 $14.96
-18.45%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.34 $2.34
-12.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$3.44 $3.44
-28.49%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.97 $0.97
$1.48 $1.48
-34.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$42.82 $42.82
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.1 $4.1
$4.3 $4.3
-4.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.82 $1.82
-57.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.41 $29.41
$34.63 $34.63
-15.07%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.74 $0.74
$0.73 $0.73
1.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29K $29K
$25.5K $25.5K
13.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1K $22.1K
$26.3K $26.3K
-15.81%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$176 $176
$177 $177
-0.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.01 $39.01
$58.9 $58.9
-33.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.9 $73.9
$64.8 $64.8
14.03%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.72 $44.72
$62.6 $62.6
-28.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.17 $10.17
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.06 $12.06
$14.72 $14.72
-18.07%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$892 $892
$1,378 $1,378
-35.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.8K $23.8K
$22.4K $22.4K
6.21%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.8 $68.8
$56.3 $56.3
22.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.94 $43.94
$46.46 $46.46
-5.42%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.9 $74.9
$86.7 $86.7
-13.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.3 $95.3
$119 $119
-19.80%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$819 $819
$2,188 $2,188
-62.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$697 $697
$1,395 $1,395
-50.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,380 $1,380
$3,896 $3,896
-64.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,137 $1,137
$2,689 $2,689
-57.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,699 $1,699
$4,414 $4,414
-61.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,681 $1,681
$3,161 $3,161
-46.83%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
McAllen, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,757 $3,757
$4,871 $4,871
-22.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
6.45
2.17%

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

Last update for McAllen, TX: October 27, 2025

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

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