CostIndexUSA

McAllen, TX vs Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
PA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than Pittsburgh — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in McAllen, you would need $88,200 in Pittsburgh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+28.8%
McAllen
55.9
Pittsburgh
72
🛒 Groceries+7.4%
McAllen
93.8
Pittsburgh
100.7
🚗 Transportation+1.5%
McAllen
101.1
Pittsburgh
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
McAllen
91.4
Pittsburgh
92.8
Utilities+32.6%
McAllen
81.2
Pittsburgh
107.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$88,200
$8,200 more needed in Pittsburgh

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.1024. 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×

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Home Price
$218,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
72
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Pittsburgh has 28.8% 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

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Household Income
$72,500
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
302,971
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyFinanceEducationManufacturing

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)

Pittsburgh, PA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.