71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
70
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Houston wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Houston wins 2–1 overall (71/100)
💰 McAllen is more affordable
💼 McAllen has lower unemployment
🛡️ McAllen has fewer disasters
📋 Houston vs McAllen — The Verdict
Houston scores 71.2/100 compared to McAllen's 70/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, McAllen has a clear edge with home prices 32% lower. McAllen may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in McAllen are 32% lower — a difference of $76,300 in median home value.
💰
Renting in McAllen saves you $280/month — that's $3,360 per year.
💵
Households in Houston earn $4,114 more per year (7% higher median income).
Median Home Value
$235,000
$158,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$955
Median Income
$60,440
$56,326
The affordability gap is significant — McAllen offers home prices 32% lower than Houston, translating to $76,300 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.3%
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Disasters (20 years)
21
20
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from Houston to McAllen: Common Questions
Is Houston or McAllen cheaper to live in?
McAllen is more affordable overall. Home prices are $76,300 lower in McAllen. Monthly rent is $955 in McAllen vs $1,235 in Houston.
Does Houston or McAllen have better weather?
Houston scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Houston or McAllen better for finding a job?
McAllen currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 4.3% in McAllen. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $56,326 in McAllen.
Which city is safer — Houston or McAllen?
In terms of natural disaster risk, McAllen is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 20 in McAllen. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for McAllen.
Should I move from Houston to McAllen?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs McAllen's 70.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — McAllen is more affordable, while Houston has a better climate.
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 5, 2026.