Cost of Living in Rio Grande City, TX 2025
-22%
|
Lower Than National Avg.
211%
|
Higher Than State Avg.
Rio Grande City's 2025 cost of living is $1937 per month for singles and $4265 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Rio Grande City are 22% lower than the U.S. national average and 211% higher than Texas's state average.
This reflects a 1% increase from 2024.
The primary drivers of Rio Grande City's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Rio Grande City's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Rio Grande City's cost of living compare to the national average in 2025?
Living in Rio Grande City is less expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 40.1 % lower at $719
per month for a single person and $1317 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 11.8 %
below average at $353
monthly for an individual and $1147 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 11.0 % lower at about $779 per month
for one person and $1751 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $1851
for a single person and $4215 for a family of four,
making Rio Grande City one of America's least expensive cities.
| Expense Category | Average Monthly Expense Single Person | Average Monthly Expense Family of Four | Rio Grande City compare to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
719 | 1317 |
|
|
353 | 1147 |
|
|
151 | 259 |
|
|
334 | 709 |
|
|
294 | 783 |
|
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Rio Grande City?
Rio Grande City's 2025 cost of living is 142% lower than San Francisco,
83% less than Washington, 50% below Miami
, 44% lower than Chicago, 96% less than Boston
, and 124% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Rio Grande City.
| Move From | Move To | Cost of Living Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Rio Grande City |
|
| Washington, DC | Rio Grande City |
|
| Miami, FL | Rio Grande City |
|
| Chicago, IL | Rio Grande City |
|
| Boston, MA | Rio Grande City |
|
| New York, NY | Rio Grande City |
|
| Dallas, TX | Rio Grande City |
|
About Rio Grande City, TX
Rio Grande City is a city in and the county seat of Starr County, Texas. The population was 13,834 at the 2010 census. The city is 41 miles (66 km) west of McAllen. The city also holds the March record high for the United States at 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The city is connected to Camargo, Tamaulipas, via the Rio Grande City–Camargo International Bridge.
Rio Grande City is located at 26°22′50″N 98°49′6″W / 26.38056°N 98.81833°W / 26.38056; -98.81833 (26.380667, −98.818364).
The city gained area prior to the 2010 census giving it a total area of 11.4 square miles (30.0 km²), all land....
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Rio Grande City, TX
Texas is a tax-friendly state with a low cost of living for some.
Texas has no state income tax! This means that if you work in Texas, your paycheck will be free of taxes other than the federal income taxes. The absence of state income tax will make your take-home pay higher and provide more income for the basic cost of living purchases.
Texas does, however, have a statewide 6.25% sales tax. There may be additional local sales or use taxes up to 2% depending on where you live. Texas generates a lot of tax revenue from royalties and taxes on oil and natural-gas production.
(
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
Texas is ranked number 51 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
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2025-07-24
salary.com
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Hot summers and the cost of living
Texas has one of the highest state-wide average temperatures during the summer months of June, July, and August. If you live in Texas, it is likely that your air conditioner will be running non-stop for most of the summer. This could contribute to higher energy costs during the summer based on your thermostat setting and preference for a cool indoor climate. A hot summer is usually followed by cooler temperatures during the winter months when heating expenses may be low. Because the cost of living is linked to energy costs, expect an increase in those costs during the summer months if you live in Texas. (
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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2025-07-24
salary.com
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
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2025-07-24
salary.com
)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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2025-07-24
salary.com
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See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Last Update: 2025-07-24