Head-to-Head · City Comparison
McAllen, TX
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 McAllen leads 17 of 23 categories
McAllen
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$56,326
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
142,722 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
McAllen, TX
Pros
Homes cost $418k less ($158,700 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $909/mo less ($955 vs $1,864)
56% less violent crime than Renton
27% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Violent crime is well below the national average (150.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $35,966/yr
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $35,966 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 98°F
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Cost of living runs 27% higher than McAllen
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
McAllen
Cost of Living
27% cheaper
COL index 85.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
McAllen
Violent Crime
56% lower
150.0 vs 339.2 per 100k
McAllen
Median Home Value
$418k less
$158,700 vs $576,800
McAllen
Summer Heat
20.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.5°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$35,966
$92,292 vs $56,326/yr
Renton
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | McAllen, TX | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.6 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $158,700 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $955 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $56,326 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.5% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 59 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 87 ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.7% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MCALLEN ISD | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.5°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 27.4" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,722 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.4% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
McAllen's cost of living index is 85.6 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
McAllen is 27% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McAllen leads 17 of 23 categories. McAllen wins 17 and Renton wins 6. 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 McAllen to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($158,700 vs $576,800 median home), income ($56,326 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
McAllen, TX and Renton, WA are about 1,961 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.