City Comparison

McKinney vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

8.7%

Living in Wilmington costs 8.7% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $68,973 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
McKinney
108
Wilmington
Groceries
97
McKinney
101
Wilmington
Utilities
113
McKinney
94
Wilmington
Transportation
85
McKinney
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
129
McKinney
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $68,973 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $81,553 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $320,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 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 Wilmington, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 8.7% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,973 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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