City Comparison

McKinney vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Rockford

Illinois
79
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$53,300
Median Income

The Verdict

41.8%

Living in Rockford costs 41.8% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $52,902 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
52
Rockford
Groceries
97
McKinney
99
Rockford
Utilities
113
McKinney
92
Rockford
Transportation
85
McKinney
101
Rockford
Healthcare
129
McKinney
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $52,902 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $106,329 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Rockford

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $155,000. The $317,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $368 in Rockford. 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 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 41.8% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,902 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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