Brownsville vs McKinney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brownsville
McKinney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 33.0%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to $112,000 in McKinney.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $112,000 in McKinney.
Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $50,223 in Brownsville.
Living in Brownsville vs McKinney
Housing Costs
Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $472,000. The $317,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $461/month in McKinney. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 37-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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