McKinney vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
McKinney
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 38.3%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to $54,241 in Roanoke.
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 $54,241 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $103,704 in McKinney.
Living in McKinney vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $225,000. The $247,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,056 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 129 in McKinney and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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