McAllen

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McAllen, TX

Area Guide

The City of Palms is a south Texas cultural goldmine.

Nightlife Arts Dining Parks

McAllen, Texas welcomes residents with its rich cultural heritage in the Rio Grande Valley. Home to over 142,000 people, this South Texas city combines contemporary living with traditional charm. Known as the "City of Palms," McAllen offers diverse housing options from apartment communities to single-family homes. Current average rents range from $829 for one-bedroom units to $2,429 for four-bedroom properties. The rental market remains steady, with most properties showing minimal year-over-year changes.

McAllen's appeal extends beyond housing affordability. The Quinta Mazatlan, a historic Spanish colonial mansion and World Birding Center site, draws nature enthusiasts to its walking trails and wildlife viewing areas. The International Museum of Art & Science enriches the community with rotating exhibits and educational programs. The Convention Center District has developed into an entertainment destination, while downtown McAllen features the popular 17th Street Entertainment District. Uptown McAllen puts residents near La Plaza Mall's shopping and dining options. The city's evolution into an international trade center has shaped a welcoming community where residents benefit from a cost of living approximately 16% below the national average.

Explore the City

Walking trails are everywhere in McAllen.

McAllen has plenty of spanish style homes with lush trees near the downtown area.

Downtown McAllen has a variety of shops ranging from party supplies to everyday items.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in McAllen, TX is $812 for a studio, $825 for one bedroom, $979 for two bedrooms, and $1,322 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in McAllen has decreased by -0.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$825/month
703 Sq Ft
House
$2,078/month
623 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,085/month
852 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,476/month
646 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Mcallen, TX

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Mcallen, TX is 17.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Mcallen is 40.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $812 - $1,322. You can expect to pay 7.8% less for groceries, 20.9% more for utilities, and 13.0% less for transportation.

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Transportation

54

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

47

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Gonzalez Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

797 Students

Lucile Hendricks Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

423 Students

Milam Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

755 Students

Donna Wernecke Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

697 Students

Blanca E Sanchez

Public

Grades PK-5

515 Students

Morris Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,016 Students

Sharyland North J High School

Public

Grades 7-8

806 Students

Michael E Fossum Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

780 Students

Cathey Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

821 Students

De Leon Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

800 Students

Achieve Early College High School

Public

Grades 9-12

411 Students

Rowe High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,944 Students

Mcallen High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,133 Students

Memorial High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,080 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Quinta Mazatlan
  • National Butterfly Center
  • Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
  • Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

Airports

  • McAllen International

Top Apartments in McAllen

Houses for Rent in McAllen

Property Management Companies in McAllen, TX

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.