2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
McAllen, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fort Lauderdale or is it cheaper to live in McAllen?
- Fort Lauderdale is 44.4% more expensive than McAllen.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fort Lauderdale or McAllen?
- Fort Lauderdale housing costs are 138.6% more expensive than McAllen housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in McAllen or is Health Care more affordable in Fort Lauderdale.
- Health related expenses are 1.5% more in Fort Lauderdale.
 McAllen, TXFort Lauderdale, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock110.5100
 Food & Groceries92.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.2100
 Housing56.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$521,000$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock130.8100
 Miscellaneous74.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Mcallen    17 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

My wife and I are snowbirds from Iowa. We tried the McAllen area for a couple of seasons. We didn't like it, and have since opted for Mesa, AZ. Mesa ranked No. 8 in the  More

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On transfer here for two years now. Pros: Daytime traffic is pretty decent, when using Interstate 2. Home prices are cheaper, when compared to the national average.  More

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Over 11 years ago

with 3  More

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Reviews for Fort Lauderdale    64 Reviews

Fort Lauderdale and South Florida are eclectic, which makes for a tough adjustment if you're from a homogenous area. The secret is to find the location of all the things  More

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Like any city, Fort Lauderdale has it's good points and it's bad. On the good side you can't beat the weather here, especially October to June. No snow and no winter  More

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Over 10 years ago

My husband I are are from Illinois and Indiana. We moved here five years ago and we still HATE it! In the Midwest people are friendly and care about others. I can't  More

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