City Comparison

McKinney vs Roswell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Roswell

Georgia
113
Above Average
$647,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$108,800
Median Income

The Verdict

0.9%

Living in McKinney costs 0.9% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $75,670 in Roswell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
187
Roswell
Groceries
97
McKinney
101
Roswell
Utilities
113
McKinney
98
Roswell
Transportation
85
McKinney
110
Roswell
Healthcare
129
McKinney
103
Roswell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $75,670 in Roswell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $74,336 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Roswell

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $647,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $480/month in Roswell. 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 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $392 in Roswell. 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 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $96,283 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 $2,539/month in Roswell. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney is 0.9% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,670 in Roswell, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Roswell's is 187 with median homes at $647,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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