City Comparison

McKinney vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

31.8%

Tyler is 31.8% less expensive than McKinney overall. A household earning $75,000 in McKinney would need approximately $56,920 in Tyler to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
69
Tyler
Groceries
97
McKinney
96
Tyler
Utilities
113
McKinney
97
Tyler
Transportation
85
McKinney
92
Tyler
Healthcare
129
McKinney
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $56,920 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $98,824 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Tyler

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $250,000. The $222,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 31.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,920 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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