City Comparison

McKinney vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

24.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.4%, with Scranton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to $60,268 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
65
Scranton
Groceries
97
McKinney
98
Scranton
Utilities
113
McKinney
102
Scranton
Transportation
85
McKinney
101
Scranton
Healthcare
129
McKinney
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $60,268 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $93,333 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Scranton

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $195,000. The $277,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,000 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $466/month in Scranton. 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $408 in Scranton. 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 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $55,000 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 24.4% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,268 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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