City Comparison

McKinney vs Rochester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Rochester

Minnesota
94
Below Average
$345,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$91,500
Median Income

The Verdict

19.1%

Living in Rochester costs 19.1% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $62,946 in Rochester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
95
Rochester
Groceries
97
McKinney
103
Rochester
Utilities
113
McKinney
102
Rochester
Transportation
85
McKinney
102
Rochester
Healthcare
129
McKinney
104
Rochester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $62,946 in Rochester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $89,362 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Rochester

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $345,000. The $127,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $408 in Rochester. 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 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $97,340 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rochester is 19.1% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,946 in Rochester, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Rochester's is 95 with median homes at $345,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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