McKinney vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
McKinney
Round Rock
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.9%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to $67,634 in Round Rock.
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 $67,634 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $83,168 in McKinney.
Living in McKinney vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $413,000. The $59,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $456/month in Round Rock. 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 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 129 in McKinney and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-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 $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $99,505 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 $2,345/month in Round Rock. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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