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City Report · TX

Mcallen

Pop. 145,385·240th most expensive in Texas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,283/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
-1.9%
vs US Median
-$682
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mcallen · $1,283
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Mcallen's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,283/mo
Expected by trend
$1,397/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Mcallen's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$923
1 BR
$927
2 BR
$1,153
3 BR
$1,500
4 BR+
$1,663
Research median
$1,153/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,396/yr
At $1,283/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 1.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mcallen, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 32.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
145,385
Median income
$61,579
Median age
33.5
Renters
40.5%
Age distribution
28.2%
24%
25.2%
13.1%
Under 1828.2%
18–3424%
35–5425.2%
55–649.5%
65+13.1%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
36%
87%
White36%
Black0.9%
Hispanic87%
Asian2.8%
Education (25+)
19.9%
21.4%
26.1%
32.5%
No HS diploma19.9%
HS diploma21.4%
Some college26.1%
Bachelor's+32.5%
Housing tenure
59.5%
40.5%
Owner59.5%
Renter40.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Mcallen, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,086 → $1,283
up 18.1%
Income
$52,422 → $61,579
up 17.5%
Population
141,941 → 145,385
up 2.4%
Renter share
41% → 40.5%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
31.4% → 32.5%
+1.1 pts
Median age
33 → 33.5
+0.5 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Mcallen, TX has climbed from $1,086 to $1,283, a 18.1% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $52,422 to $61,579 across the same window, up 17.5% versus 2021. The population has grown by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 141,941 residents to roughly 145,385. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Mcallen, TX look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Mcallen rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Mcallen on your salary?

At $1,283/mo, how Mcallen rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mcallen rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Mcallen. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mcallen

About renting in Mcallen, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Mcallen is $1,283/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $923/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,153/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $927/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,500/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($61,579/yr), Mcallen ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mcallen an affordable city for renters?

Mcallen is considered affordable for renters. At $1,283/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($61,579/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mcallen falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Mcallen?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,283/mo in Mcallen. The local median household income is $61,579/yr, meaning the typical Mcallen household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mcallen?

Rent in Mcallen has increased 1.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Mcallen neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Mcallen are 78501 ($1,124/mo), 78503 ($1,355/mo), and 78504 ($1,623/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Mcallen is $1,283/mo.

How does Mcallen rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Mcallen is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #240 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,283/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mcallen?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mcallen ($1,283/mo): Edinburg ($1,019/mo), Alton ($1,044/mo), Pharr ($1,207/mo).

What percentage of Mcallen residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.5% of Mcallen households are renters, while 59.5% are owner-occupied. Mcallen leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mcallen rent compare to the national average?

Mcallen's median rent of $1,283/mo is $682 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #240 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,283/mo, rent takes ~25% of Mcallen's median household income ($61,579/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mcallen 25%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Mcallen affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mcallen, TX

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