City Comparison

Lexington vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

17.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.0%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $90,323 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
140
McKinney
Groceries
96
Lexington
97
McKinney
Utilities
91
Lexington
113
McKinney
Transportation
98
Lexington
85
McKinney
Healthcare
94
Lexington
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $90,323 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $62,277 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $472,000. The $227,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 91 in Lexington and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington 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 94 in Lexington and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,323 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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