City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

6.2%

Colorado Springs is 6.2% less expensive than McKinney overall. A household earning $75,000 in Colorado Springs would need approximately $80,000 in McKinney to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
140
McKinney
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
97
McKinney
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
113
McKinney
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
85
McKinney
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $80,000 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $70,313 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 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: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs vs $461/month in McKinney. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Colorado Springs and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs 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 104 in Colorado Springs and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 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 $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado Springs is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,000 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases