City Comparison

Fort Worth vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

15.2%

Living in Fort Worth costs 15.2% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $88,421 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
140
McKinney
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
97
McKinney
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
113
McKinney
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
85
McKinney
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $88,421 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $63,616 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $472,000. The $202,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth 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 99 in Fort Worth and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth 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 100 in Fort Worth and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 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 $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,421 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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