Studio Apartment Rent in McAllen, TX
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in McAllen, Texas as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,283 and +28% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in McAllen
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in McAllen
Compare McAllen's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Texas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clute | $522 |
| 2 | Burnet | $525 |
| 3 | Palestine | $646 |
| 4 | Corsicana | $700 |
| 5 | Harlingen | $705 |
| 6 | Brownsville | $707 |
| 7 | Bonham | $710 |
| 8 | Eagle Pass | $730 |
| 9 | Alton | $750 |
| 10 | Del Rio | $760 |
| 11 | Canyon | $770 |
| 12 | Huntsville | $770 |
| 13 | Wharton | $770 |
| 14 | San Leon | $778 |
| 15 | Livingston | $780 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Texas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Park | $2,300 |
| 2 | Argyle | $2,300 |
| 3 | Flower Mound | $2,250 |
| 4 | Prosper | $2,170 |
| 5 | Little Elm | $2,140 |
| 6 | Aledo | $2,060 |
| 7 | Justin | $2,030 |
| 8 | Lavon | $2,010 |
| 9 | Lakeway | $1,980 |
| 10 | Royse City | $1,930 |
| 11 | Haslet | $1,910 |
| 12 | Celina | $1,900 |
| 13 | Grapevine | $1,850 |
| 14 | Bellaire | $1,840 |
| 15 | Fresno | $1,830 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than McAllen.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs McAllen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharr, TX | 5.7 mi | $820 | $-103 (-11%) |
| Alton, TX | 6.8 mi | $750 | $-173 (-19%) |
| San Juan, TX | 6.9 mi | $780 | $-143 (-15%) |
| Mission, TX | 9.3 mi | $810 | $-113 (-12%) |
| Edinburg, TX | 12.9 mi | $803 | $-120 (-13%) |
| Weslaco, TX | 17.9 mi | $790 | $-133 (-14%) |
| Harlingen, TX | 36.7 mi | $705 | $-218 (-24%) |
| Rancho Viejo, TX | 51.2 mi | $830 | $-93 (-10%) |
| Brownsville, TX | 58.1 mi | $707 | $-216 (-23%) |
| Kingsville, TX | 88.6 mi | $880 | $-43 (-5%) |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 118.6 mi | $1,074 | +$151 (+16%) |
| Portland, TX | 129.9 mi | $1,410 | +$487 (+53%) |
Studio rent in McAllen — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in McAllen?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in McAllen, Texas is $923 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,283.
What income do you need to afford a studio in McAllen?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $36,920 ($3,077/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is McAllen expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
McAllen's studio median of $923 is +28% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 21th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does McAllen rank for studio rent in Texas?
Among the 241 cities in Texas with studio data, McAllen ranks #52 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near McAllen?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Pharr ($820), Alton ($750), San Juan ($780).