City Comparison

Manchester vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

McKinney

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

The Verdict

5.4%

McKinney is 5.4% less expensive than Manchester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Manchester would need approximately $71,186 in McKinney to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Manchester
140
McKinney
Groceries
105
Manchester
97
McKinney
Utilities
114
Manchester
113
McKinney
Transportation
100
Manchester
85
McKinney
Healthcare
112
Manchester
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Manchester has the same purchasing power as $71,186 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $79,018 in Manchester.

Living in Manchester vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Manchester's housing index of 140 is equal to McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $472,000. The $122,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,932 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Manchester compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Manchester and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Manchester vs $461/month in McKinney. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 114 in Manchester and 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $456 in Manchester vs $452 in McKinney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Manchester and 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,018 in Manchester and $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,100 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 $1,517/month to housing in Manchester vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Manchester has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,186 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Manchester's housing index is 140 with median homes at $350,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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