Arlington vs McKinney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
McKinney
The Verdict
McKinney is 46.4% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $51,220 in McKinney to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $51,220 in McKinney.
Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $109,821 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs McKinney
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $472,000. The $268,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $461/month in McKinney. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington 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 117 in Arlington and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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