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McAllen, Texas Retirement Guide

established retirement community
74

Retirement Score

McAllen, Texas at a Glance

Median Home Price
$168,300
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
55°F
Cost of Living Index
97.4 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
74 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for McAllen, Texas, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
97.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated August 2026
Median Household Income
$56,326High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

McAllen's cost of living is 2.5999999999999943% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$168,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$971High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
59.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in McAllen using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$365

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$410

Median home price used: $168,300

Median rent reference: $971 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in McAllen, Texas after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
Care Access (Proxy)
71.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated October 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
38.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated August 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. McAllen scores 71.7 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in McAllen

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in McAllen →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Texas has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.Read more in our detailed Texas tax guide.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
99.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
55°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
23.4"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
314 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 314 sunny days a year and an average January low of 55°F, McAllen offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
89.5 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated August 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
5.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated August 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated August 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
142,722High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
32.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
13.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
3.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
31.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
52.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
1.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
87.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in McAllen

Is McAllen, Texas a good place to retire?▾

McAllen, Texas is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in McAllen, Texas for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 97, roughly 3% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $168,300.

Does Texas tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Texas residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in McAllen, Texas?▾

McAllen, Texas has January average low around 55°F, July average high around 99°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in McAllen, Texas?▾

McAllen scores 72/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a strong score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in McAllen? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

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