McKinney vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
McKinney
Missoula
The Verdict
McKinney is 2.6% less expensive than Missoula overall. A household earning $75,000 in McKinney would need approximately $77,009 in Missoula 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 McKinney has the same purchasing power as $77,009 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $73,043 in McKinney.
Living in McKinney vs Missoula
Housing Costs
McKinney's housing index of 140 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $460,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $489/month in Missoula. McKinney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in McKinney and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $356 in Missoula. 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 129 in McKinney and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $124,200 in McKinney and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $42,812 respectively. McKinney residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,898/month to housing in McKinney vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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