Austin vs McAllen
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
McAllen has an edge
McAllen currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home Price
$467,178.32
Median Rent
$1,595.22/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4
Property Tax RateTIE
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)
-6.9%
Price Change (5Y)
-34.7%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$413,070
Median Home PriceBETTER
$189,061.28
Median RentBETTER
$1,124.02/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
14.0
Property Tax RateTIE
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
-1.2%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
-6.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$95,262
Key Differences
Home Prices
Austin's median home price of $467,178.32 is higher than McAllen's $189,061.28 by 147%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Austin costs $1,595.22/mo compared to $1,124.02/mo in McAllen—a difference of $471.2/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.