City Comparison

Burlington vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

5.4%

Living in McKinney costs 5.4% less than Burlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $71,186 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
140
McKinney
Groceries
108
Burlington
97
McKinney
Utilities
115
Burlington
113
McKinney
Transportation
98
Burlington
85
McKinney
Healthcare
116
Burlington
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $71,186 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $79,018 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $472,000. The $92,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in McKinney. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $452 in McKinney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,186 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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