Median Age
35 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
29%
Over 65
14%
McAllen
McAllen, TX Area Guide
Avg Rent
$821
Population
143,677
Renter Mix
42% Rent
The City of Palms is a south Texas cultural goldmine.
Nightlife
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Arts
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Dining
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Parks
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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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$51,715
Average: $72,532
Education
35,832
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
66,524
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
McAllen has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
42%
Non-Renters
58%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
20%
Other Education
80%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in McAllen, TX is $875 for a studio, $821 for one bedroom, $989 for two bedrooms, and $1,382 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in McAllen has decreased by -1.1% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$821/month
703 Sq Ft
House
$2,096/month
550 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,116/month
886 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,604/month
700 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in McAllen, TX is 19.1% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in McAllen is 41.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $821 - $1,382. You can expect to pay 8.1% less for groceries, 18.7% more for utilities, and 13.7% less for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly McAllen, TX is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
797 Students
Lucile Hendricks Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
423 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
755 Students
Donna Wernecke Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
697 Students
Blanca E Sanchez Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
515 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,016 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
806 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
780 Students
IDEA McAllen College Preparatory
Public
Grades 6-12
773 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
821 Students
Achieve Early College High School
Public
Grades 9-12
411 Students
IDEA McAllen College Preparatory
Public
Grades 6-12
773 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,944 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,133 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,080 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
Bluestone Asset Management
-
31
Communities
-
3,145
Units
-
12
Cities
10 Communities in McAllen
GVA
-
31
Communities
-
4,419
Units
-
12
Cities
7 Communities in McAllen
United Apartment Group
-
68
Communities
-
14,804
Units
-
32
Cities
5 Communities in McAllen
The Brownstone Group
-
17
Communities
-
1,378
Units
-
14
Cities
3 Communities in McAllen
Vesta Corporation
-
22
Communities
-
4,073
Units
-
11
Cities
3 Communities in McAllen
DGE Investments
-
48
Communities
-
8,541
Units
-
19
Cities
2 Communities in McAllen
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.