2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs McAllen, TX

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Highlights
Are people in McAllen older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in McAllen is 6.1 years younger than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in McAllen or Santa Barbara?
- McAllen housing costs are 86.6% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, McAllen or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of McAllen is 2.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in McAllen?
McAllen, Texas is a vibrant city located in Hidalgo County. This welcoming community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning Quinta Mazatlán or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Archer Park and Firemen's Park. With its excellent school system, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make McAllen their home.

 Santa Barbara, CAMcAllen, TXUnited States
 Population  Unlock141,941329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3338.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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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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