City Comparison

McKinney vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

20.4%

Living in Murfreesboro costs 20.4% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $62,277 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
97
McKinney
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
113
McKinney
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
85
McKinney
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
129
McKinney
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $62,277 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $90,323 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $325,000. The $147,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,552 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. 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 113 in McKinney and 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $356 in Murfreesboro. 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 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $59,355 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 $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro is 20.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,277 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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