Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 44.2% of median family income in Collin County, TX and 70.4% in Hidalgo County, TX. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Collin County, TX vs Hidalgo County, TX: Cost of Living Difference
Hidalgo County, TX is cheaper than Collin County, TX for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Hidalgo County, TX is cheaper than Collin County, TX.
Cheaper place
Hidalgo County, TXSave about $21,517 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Hidalgo County, TX is estimated to save $21,517 per year.
AnnualSave about $21,517 per year.
MonthlySave about $1,793 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Collin County, TX is about $32,745 in Hidalgo County, TX.
Biggest drivers
Transport increases by $738 per year. Housing saves $11,723 per year.
Collin County, TX→Hidalgo County, TX
Equivalent salary in Hidalgo County, TX
$32,745
-34.51% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Collin County, TX: $140,955
Median Income in Hidalgo County, TX: $57,989
annual living index in Collin County, TX 44.24%
annual living index in Hidalgo County, TX 70.42%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Collin County, TX to Hidalgo County, TX.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Hidalgo County, TX compared with Collin County, TX.
| Category | Collin County, TX | Hidalgo County, TX | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $21,239 | $9,516 | -$11,723(-55.2%) | -$977 | Lower in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Taxes | $11,090 | $6,139 | -$4,951(-44.64%) | -$413 | Lower in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Other Costs | $7,937 | $4,001 | -$3,936(-49.59%) | -$328 | Lower in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Food | $4,327 | $3,369 | -$958(-22.14%) | -$80 | Lower in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Transport | $12,356 | $13,094 | +$738(5.97%) | +$62 | Higher in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Healthcare | $5,406 | $4,718 | -$688(-12.73%) | -$57 | Lower in Hidalgo County, TX |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Collin County, TX and Hidalgo County, TX, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $11,723 per year lower in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Hidalgo County, TX changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $958 per year lower in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Hidalgo County, TX can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $738 per year higher in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Hidalgo County, TX.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $688 per year lower in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Hidalgo County, TX changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $3,936 per year lower in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Hidalgo County, TX help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Collin County, TX and Hidalgo County, TX, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Hidalgo County, TX, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $4,951 per year lower in Hidalgo County, TX than in Collin County, TX. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Hidalgo County, TX matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Collin County, TX or Hidalgo County, TX?
Hidalgo County, TX is cheaper than Collin County, TX by about $21,517 per year.
How much salary is needed in Hidalgo County, TX?
A $50,000 salary in Collin County, TX is modeled as roughly equivalent to $32,745 in Hidalgo County, TX for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Collin County, TX vs Hidalgo County, TX comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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