CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Cincinnati — 10.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $72,000 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.2%
Cincinnati
87.6
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Cincinnati
93.8
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Cincinnati
104
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Cincinnati
94.1
McAllen
91.4
Utilities10.8%
Cincinnati
91
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$72,000
$8,000 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 0.9004. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

McAllen, TX

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

Cincinnati has 36.2% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

McAllen, TX

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

McAllen, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.