City Comparison

Alexandria vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

Virginia
145
Expensive
$590,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$119,700
Median Income

McKinney

Texas
112
Above Average
$472,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$124,200
Median Income

The Verdict

29.5%

Living in McKinney costs 29.5% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $57,931 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
201
Alexandria
140
McKinney
Groceries
113
Alexandria
97
McKinney
Utilities
97
Alexandria
113
McKinney
Transportation
107
Alexandria
85
McKinney
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $57,931 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $97,098 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $472,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $461/month in McKinney. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $452 in McKinney. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $110,893 respectively. McKinney residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney is 29.5% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,931 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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