Hillsboro vs McKinney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
McKinney
The Verdict
McKinney is 14.3% less expensive than Hillsboro overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hillsboro would need approximately $65,625 in McKinney to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in McKinney.
Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $85,714 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs McKinney
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $472,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro 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 96 in Hillsboro and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro 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 103 in Hillsboro and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $106,700 in Hillsboro and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 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 $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 Transportation, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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