Living in McKinney, TX
McKinney is the 99th-largest city in the US, home to about 236,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 20.8% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 236,001+20.8% since 2020
- Median home value
- $471,8003.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,901/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $124,215median, per year
- Price level
- 103.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 56° / 95°lows 34° / 74°
- Average commute
- 28 min25% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Collin County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 630 ft
Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Cost of living in McKinney
The median home in McKinney is worth $471,800 and the median household earns $124,215 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,901 a month, about 18% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area at 103.1, with housing at 117.9 and goods at 102.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,300 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in McKinney?
McKinney weather
Average highs run from 56°F in January to 95°F in July, and January nights average 34°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit McKinney
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 54% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 64% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 28 minutes; 24% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.9296th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 54%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 64%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,45268.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 3.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 5.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2007median year
Who moves to McKinney, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Austin (Travis County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and Round Rock (Williamson County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Collin County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, hail, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+0.5% in a year
Up 35% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
28% good days
45 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near McKinney
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Dallas College 32 miles
- University of North Texas 31 miles
- The University of Texas at Dallas 17 miles
- Southern Methodist University 26 miles
- Texas Woman's University 30 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near McKinney
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Love Field Airport DAL | 28 mi | 8,654,991 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport DFW | 32 mi | 42,351,316 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near McKinney
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin County Community College District | 3 mi | 26,449 | $10,747 | n/a |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 17 mi | 21,751 | $15,271 | 79% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in McKinney
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 18, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 1 and the first frost comes around November 11.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Mckinney Municipal Airport, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for McKinney.
Wildfire smoke in McKinney
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered McKinney on about 154 days a year, including about 21 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in McKinney
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 74,072 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in McKinney
Downtown McKinney is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKinney Independent School District | Pre-K to 12 | 23,296 | 33 | 14.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Frisco Independent School District (65,289 students), Plano Independent School District (46,612 students), Prosper Independent School District (31,651 students), Allen Independent School District (20,838 students), Wylie Independent School District (19,401 students), Princeton Independent School District (9,956 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
McKinney's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to McKinney's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Atlanta, GA75% matchCompare
- Charleston, SC73% matchCompare
- Clovis, CA71% matchCompare
- Roswell, GA68% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near McKinney
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in McKinney
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data The city is growing fast (+20.8% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 97 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 45 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
McKinney report card from locals
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McKinney through locals' eyes
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Cities near McKinney
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen, TX | 6 mi | 113,447 | $464,100 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Frisco, TX | 13 mi | 236,955 | $642,100 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Plano, TX | 13 mi | 293,028 | $465,900 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Richardson, TX | 19 mi | 118,542 | $431,400 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Garland, TX | 20 mi | 249,625 | $270,800 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Carrollton, TX | 20 mi | 134,562 | $381,000 | 103.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
McKinney ranks 29th of 77 in our best suburbs of Dallas ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare McKinney with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is McKinney a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages; the trade-offs are 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare McKinney side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of McKinney?
The Census Bureau estimates McKinney had 236,001 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 195,331 in April 2020 (+20.8%).
How much do you need to earn to live in McKinney?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,300 in the McKinney area. The median household here earns $124,215.
When is the best time to visit McKinney?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 95°F and January 56°F for daytime highs.
What county is McKinney in?
McKinney is in Collin County, Texas. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is McKinney in?
McKinney is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of McKinney?
About 630 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of McKinney. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Mckinney Municipal Airport, TX station; snowfall from Lavon Dam, TX. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.