The City of McAllen earns national recognition, ranking 20 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live. McAllen joins six other Texas cities to round out the top 20: Pearland (3), League City (6), Leander (8), Flower Mound (14), Pflugerville (15) and Sugar Land (16).

The annual ranking evaluates 250 cities across the United States based on affordability, job market strength, desirability and overall quality of life. With a population of 144,628 and a median age of 31.9, McAllen offers an affordable lifestyle with a median home value of $169,631, median monthly rent of $783 and a median household income of $59,255. McAllen’s average commute time of 18.33 minutes and has a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.6 percent, according to U.S. News.

“McAllen is a community filled with pride, and we are honored to be recognized among the best places to live for quality of life,” said Mayor Javier Villalobos. “This ranking reflects the hard work of our residents and city leadership in prioritizing infrastructure, public safety, and amenities that make us a vibrant and welcoming town.”

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil added, “We are a city on the rise. With the support of our residents and business community, we are building a place where families can thrive, young professionals can grow their careers, and visitors can experience the best of our culture and quality of life. Rankings like this reaffirm that our vision and long-term planning are working, and they spotlight McAllen as one of the most desirable places to live in the country.”

McAllen previously ranked 48 in the 2024-2025 report and has consistently placed among the top cities in Texas and border communities.