One Of The Best Places For A Retiree Is A Town In Texas With Affordable Home Prices

When deciding where to retire, the cost of living is a key factor to consider, and in Texas, even $100 comes with a higher value overall. If an affordable life in the Lone Star State sounds appealing, U.S. News & World Report has recommended the McAllen metro area as one of the top Texas cities. Resting at the state's southern tip, this metro area contains nearly 866,000 people, and about 11% of those residents are aged 65 and up — giving retirees plenty of peers to socialize with. The McAllen area also encompasses the fast-growing city of Edinburg (population ~109,000) and Mission (population ~87,000) and comes with attractive housing prices. 

Zillow listed an average McAllen home value in October 2025 at $222,873, and the median monthly mortgage cost is around $844. In Edinburg, the average is $210,392, and in Mission it's $216,352. Considering the national average is $360,727, the savings are clear in each of these cities. But buying a home is just the beginning; utilities are also 10.9% cheaper. Furnaces won't run much in McAllen, with the coldest month of January experiencing nighttime averages of 49 degrees and daytime ones at 71, according to U.S. Climate Data. However, if heat bothers you, air conditioning may be expensive in summertime. In the hottest month of August, average temperatures range from 77 at night to 99 in the day.

Overall, BestPlaces calculated that the cost of living in McAllen is 23.5% lower than the national average and 18.8% lower than other Texas locales. The minimum income estimated to live comfortably here is $30,400 for a single person and $39,240 for a family. Grocery shopping is also about 7.9% less expensive in McAllen.

The McAllen metro area is rich in history and diversity, from Native American tribes that once flourished there to Spanish and Mexican influences and more. This cultural variety has led to a range of regional festivals featuring local foods, cultural music, and engaging activities alongside good old-fashioned fun. Many community festivals are free to attend, such as the Christmas in the Park Holiday Festival. 

If you look forward to birdwatching during your retirement, McAllen can be an excellent place to live. One of the World Birding Centers is located at the Quinta Mazatlan estate, with an admission of $3 for adults. Featuring a birding amphitheater, the locale also contains the Forest Sculpture Trail where you might see dozens of bird species. You can also tour the historic mansion and grounds containing numerous sustainable gardens. Another beautiful site, the National Butterfly Center in Mission charges $5 for local adults to browse the 100-acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden featuring native plants. This is also the location of the annual Texas Butterfly Festival.

While McAllen may be relatively affordable, Texas is one of the states with the most people struggling financially. Although that clearly doesn't apply to everyone, some retirees regret moving to Texas because of high property tax rates — Texas ranks seventh, according to Tax Foundation. As with any location, pros and cons exist when considering where to move, but if you're looking to retire in a city with affordable homes and opportunities to explore nature, it may be worth exploring the McAllen metro area.