City Comparison

Madison vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

5.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.4%, with Madison being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $79,245 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
140
McKinney
Groceries
101
Madison
97
McKinney
Utilities
97
Madison
113
McKinney
Transportation
103
Madison
85
McKinney
Healthcare
105
Madison
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $79,245 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $70,982 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $472,000. The $132,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison 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 105 in Madison and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Madison, 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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,245 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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