Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Antioch, CA
VS
McAllen, TX
🏆 McAllen leads 15 of 23 categories
Antioch
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,709 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High
Population
115,016
McAllen
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$56,326
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
142,722 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Antioch, CA
Pros
Households earn $34,383 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $570,900
Higher rents — median is $2,150/mo
Cost of living runs 33% higher than McAllen
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
McAllen, TX
Pros
Homes cost $412k less ($158,700 vs $570,900)
Rent averages $1195/mo less ($955 vs $2,150)
75% less violent crime than Antioch
33% cheaper overall cost of living than Antioch
Commutes run 24 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.4%)
Cons
Median income trails Antioch by $34,383/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Antioch
Median Income
$34,383
$90,709 vs $56,326/yr
McAllen
Cost of Living
33% cheaper
COL index 85.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
McAllen
Violent Crime
75% lower
150.0 vs 606.8 per 100k
McAllen
Median Home Value
$412k less
$158,700 vs $570,900
McAllen
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.9% unemployment
McAllen
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 97.5°F vs 91.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Antioch, CA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 85.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $570,900⚠ High | $158,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,150⚠ High | $955 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,709 ✓ Higher | $56,326 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 44.9 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 9.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 152⚠ High | 87 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.5:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.0% | 31.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.6% ✓ Higher | 78.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Antioch Unified | MCALLEN ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.7°F | 71.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F | 97.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.6" ✓ Drier | 27.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,016 | 142,722 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.2 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% ✓ Higher | 59.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.8% | 28.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Antioch's cost of living index is 118.2 vs McAllen's 85.6 (US average = 100).
McAllen is 33% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McAllen leads 15 of 23 categories. Antioch wins 8 and McAllen wins 15. 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 Antioch to McAllen or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($570,900 vs $158,700 median home), income ($90,709 vs $56,326), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Antioch, CA and McAllen, TX are about 1,593 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.