McKinney vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
McKinney
St. Paul
The Verdict
St. Paul is 12.0% less expensive than McKinney overall. A household earning $75,000 in McKinney would need approximately $66,964 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $66,964 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $84,000 in McKinney.
Living in McKinney vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $260,000. The $212,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $388 in St. Paul. 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 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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