City Comparison

Fayetteville vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

North Carolina
81
Very Affordable
$213,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,800
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

27.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.7%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $103,704 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
140
McKinney
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
97
McKinney
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
113
McKinney
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
85
McKinney
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $103,704 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $54,241 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $472,000. The $259,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,836 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville 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 98 in Fayetteville and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville 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 106 in Fayetteville and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 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 $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/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 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 27.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,704 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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