City Comparison

McKinney vs Providence

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Providence

Rhode Island
110
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$47,012
Median Income

The Verdict

1.8%

Living in Providence costs 1.8% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $73,661 in Providence.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
118
Providence
Groceries
97
McKinney
105
Providence
Utilities
113
McKinney
119
Providence
Transportation
85
McKinney
102
Providence
Healthcare
129
McKinney
112
Providence

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $73,661 in Providence.

Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $76,364 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Providence

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $310,000. The $162,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,536 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 Providence, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $499/month in Providence. 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 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $476 in Providence. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 129 in McKinney and 112 in Providence. 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 $124,200 in McKinney and $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $42,738 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 $1,097/month in Providence. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Providence is 1.8% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,661 in Providence, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Providence's is 118 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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