Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
McAllen, TX
🏆 McAllen leads 12 of 23 categories
Allen
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
McAllen
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$56,326
Violent Crime Index
39
Population
142,722 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $64,933 more per year on average
29% less violent crime than McAllen
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.3%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than McAllen
McAllen, TX
Pros
Homes cost $232k less ($158,700 vs $390,200)
Rent averages $792/mo less ($955 vs $1,747)
Violent crime is well below the national average (150.0 vs 380/100k)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $64,933/yr
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$64,933
$121,259 vs $56,326/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
29% lower
106.4 vs 150.0 per 100k
Allen
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.3% vs 5.4% unemployment
McAllen
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 85.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
McAllen
Median Home Value
$232k less
$158,700 vs $390,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 85.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $158,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $955 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $56,326 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 9.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 59 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 39 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 87 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | B+ (104) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 31.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 78.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | MCALLEN ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F | 71.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F | 97.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 27.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 142,722 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 59.4% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% | 28.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 13.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs McAllen's 85.6 (US average = 100).
McAllen is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McAllen leads 12 of 23 categories. Allen wins 11 and McAllen wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to McAllen or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $158,700 median home), income ($121,259 vs $56,326), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and McAllen, TX are about 485 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.