City Comparison

McKinney vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

6.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.7%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to $70,313 in Nampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
104
Nampa
Groceries
97
McKinney
105
Nampa
Utilities
113
McKinney
83
Nampa
Transportation
85
McKinney
113
Nampa
Healthcare
129
McKinney
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $70,313 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $80,000 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Nampa

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $371,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in McKinney and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $332 in Nampa. 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 Nampa. 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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $70,762 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 6.7% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,313 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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