Study looked at median income and cost of living for ranking
A recent study has rated McAllen number four as one of the best cities for a middle-class family of four. The USA TODAY Homefront research team analyzed 349 of the largest cities in the country to determine which are best for middle-class families, factoring in local price differences, calculating the middle-class income bracket for different family sizes in cities across the U.S. As one of the top ten cities with the lowest living costs, the median household income for McAllen, at $60,200, exceeds the low-end middle-class income threshold, of $52,008. Additionally, McAllen’s cost of living is 17% lower than the national average.
“We are incredibly proud to see McAllen recognized as one of the best cities for middle-class families. Our city continues to provide a high quality of life at an affordable cost, making it an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “This recognition highlights the strength of our community and the dedication of our leadership to ensuring that McAllen remains a welcoming and prosperous city for all.”
The research team at USA TODAY Homefront examined incomes in 349 cities with populations greater than 100,000, utilizing the approach from the Pew Research Center to define the middle-class. The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households earning between two-thirds and two times the national median income, adjusted for household size and local cost of living. Other factors included in the USAToday Homefront study included household size; cost of living from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Regional Price Parities; and incomes from the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, using 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars.
To be considered middle-class, nationally, a family of four needs to earn at least $59,828; however, that amount varies across the country based on where one lives.
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