Longview, TX vs McAllen, TX: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, McAllen, TX is 4.0% less expensive than Longview, TX (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Longview works out to about $72,000 in McAllen, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 16.3% less in McAllen. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,119 a month in McAllen and $1,148 in Longview, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $189,000 in McAllen and $218,000 in Longview.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when McAllen was 5.8% less expensive than Longview.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 16.3% lower in McAllen than in Longview
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.5 | 85.9 |
| Goods | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 66.7 | 55.9 |
| Utilities | 83.5 | 81.2 |
| Other services | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Category | Longview | McAllen | McAllen vs Longview |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.5 | 85.9 | −4.0% |
| Goods | 93.8 | 93.8 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 66.7 | 55.9 | −16.3% |
| Utilities | 83.5 | 81.2 | −2.7% |
| Other services | 96.2 | 96.2 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,148 | $1,119 | −2.5% |
| Typical home value | $218,000 | $189,000 | −13.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Longview | $75,000 | $72,000 | −4.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Longview and McAllen has narrowed since 2008: 5.4 points then, 3.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.2 | 86.9 |
| 2009 | 91.1 | 86.3 |
| 2010 | 92.7 | 87.8 |
| 2011 | 93.3 | 88.0 |
| 2012 | 94.4 | 89.2 |
| 2013 | 93.2 | 88.3 |
| 2014 | 93.4 | 89.1 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 89.4 |
| 2016 | 94.2 | 89.8 |
| 2017 | 92.0 | 89.3 |
| 2018 | 90.8 | 86.8 |
| 2019 | 92.1 | 86.8 |
| 2020 | 92.3 | 88.0 |
| 2021 | 92.4 | 87.2 |
| 2022 | 86.6 | 86.6 |
| 2023 | 89.0 | 86.1 |
| 2024 | 89.5 | 85.9 |
Goods
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.6 | 97.1 |
| 2009 | 94.5 | 95.2 |
| 2010 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 96.5 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 96.0 | 97.3 |
| 2013 | 96.5 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 95.7 | 97.0 |
| 2016 | 96.4 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 96.1 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 92.9 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 68.5 | 54.4 |
| 2009 | 70.1 | 53.7 |
| 2010 | 70.3 | 52.6 |
| 2011 | 73.1 | 54.1 |
| 2012 | 78.1 | 56.9 |
| 2013 | 72.0 | 54.8 |
| 2014 | 72.9 | 56.3 |
| 2015 | 74.1 | 56.2 |
| 2016 | 74.8 | 56.6 |
| 2017 | 70.2 | 57.0 |
| 2018 | 67.5 | 56.8 |
| 2019 | 72.2 | 55.5 |
| 2020 | 73.2 | 56.4 |
| 2021 | 73.1 | 56.3 |
| 2022 | 54.9 | 57.6 |
| 2023 | 66.0 | 57.0 |
| 2024 | 66.7 | 55.9 |
Utilities
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.0 | 101.5 |
| 2009 | 92.5 | 95.8 |
| 2010 | 93.6 | 95.4 |
| 2011 | 89.1 | 90.4 |
| 2012 | 88.7 | 88.4 |
| 2013 | 89.8 | 89.5 |
| 2014 | 93.3 | 92.9 |
| 2015 | 91.3 | 90.3 |
| 2016 | 87.6 | 85.9 |
| 2017 | 84.2 | 81.4 |
| 2018 | 84.3 | 83.2 |
| 2019 | 86.4 | 85.5 |
| 2020 | 86.0 | 85.1 |
| 2021 | 85.9 | 84.6 |
| 2022 | 88.0 | 86.3 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 88.0 |
| 2024 | 83.5 | 81.2 |
Other services
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.0 | 98.5 |
| 2009 | 97.1 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 99.8 | 100.8 |
| 2012 | 100.2 | 100.7 |
| 2013 | 99.8 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 99.9 | 100.3 |
| 2015 | 100.3 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 101.1 | 102.3 |
| 2017 | 99.1 | 100.5 |
| 2018 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2020 | 99.3 | 99.3 |
| 2021 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 95.8 | 95.8 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,119 in McAllen vs $1,148 in Longview
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $803 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $817 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $826 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $822 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $804 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $826 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $770 | $831 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $740 | $819 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $761 | $828 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $783 | $829 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $768 | $842 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $768 | $830 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $772 | $841 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $786 | $843 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $780 | $849 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $801 | $848 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $794 | $858 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $812 | $864 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $806 | $869 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $809 | $871 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $829 | $882 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $834 | $882 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $849 | $901 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $856 | $907 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $873 | $926 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $883 | $951 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $915 | $988 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $945 | $998 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $952 | $1,020 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $985 | $1,049 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,036 | $1,056 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,020 | $1,057 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,033 | $1,079 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,029 | $1,090 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,051 | $1,092 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,037 | $1,094 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,059 | $1,097 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,074 | $1,107 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,069 | $1,102 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,087 | $1,101 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,095 | $1,106 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,123 | $1,114 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,111 | $1,109 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,111 | $1,108 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,133 | $1,110 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,136 | $1,115 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,148 | $1,119 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $189,000 in McAllen vs $218,000 in Longview
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Longview, TX
- McAllen, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Longview, TX | McAllen, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $134K | $94K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $135K | $95K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $136K | $97K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $138K | $98K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $139K | $101K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $139K | $101K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $141K | $102K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $142K | $104K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $141K | $105K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $141K | $105K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $140K | $105K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $140K | $106K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $142K | $108K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $146K | $110K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $151K | $111K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $155K | $112K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $157K | $112K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $161K | $114K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $166K | $117K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $167K | $119K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $166K | $121K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $166K | $123K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $170K | $128K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $171K | $134K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $171K | $140K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $176K | $145K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $182K | $147K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $189K | $150K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $196K | $161K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $204K | $169K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $207K | $174K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $208K | $176K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $210K | $177K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $215K | $181K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $214K | $183K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $212K | $188K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $213K | $190K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $216K | $191K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $215K | $191K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $216K | $192K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $220K | $191K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $218K | $189K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $216K | $190K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $217K | $189K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $220K | $191K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $219K | $189K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $218K | $189K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.