CostIndexUSA

McAllen, TX vs Napa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent

McAllen is dramatically cheaper than Napa — 31.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in McAllen, you would need $104,900 in Napa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+253.1%
McAllen
55.9
Napa
197.4
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
McAllen
93.8
Napa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
McAllen
101.1
Napa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
McAllen
91.4
Napa
95.3
Utilities+92.7%
McAllen
81.2
Napa
156.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Napa, CA
$104,900
$24,900 more needed in Napa

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.3108. 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×

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Napa has 253.1% 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

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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)

Napa, 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.