City in Collin County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro

Living in McKinney, TX

A

7th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 94 of 100
18th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

McKinney earns a grade of A on our index, 7th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on jobs and income and safety, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for retirees
  • Good for remote workers
  • Low crime
  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (12 of 100)
  • Tornado risk is very high
Photo of Historic Downtown Square in McKinney, Texas.
Photo: Rick Ray, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
236,001+20.8% since 2020
Median rent
$1,90135% higher than Texas
Median home value
$471,80066% higher than Texas
Household income
$124,215Median
Average commute
28 minOne way
Violent crime
115Per 100k, 2025

About McKinney

McKinney is the county seat of Collin County, about 32 miles north of Dallas on the US 75 corridor. Incorporated in 1848, it was named for Collin McKinney, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. The restored old Collin County Courthouse anchors the historic downtown square.

US 75 and US 380 carry most local traffic, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway runs along the city's southern edge. The largest private employer is Raytheon, and Globe Life and Encore Wire also have big operations here, alongside McKinney ISD and Collin County government. McKinney National Airport handles general aviation on the southeast side. For time outside, people head to the Heard Natural Science Museum and its trails, or to Erwin Park, which has about 10 miles of mountain bike trails.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What it's like to live in McKinney

McKinney sits about 29 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 236,001 people lived here in 2025, up 20.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2007).

Places locals use include McKinney Texas Dog Park, Wilson Creek Park and Gabe Nesbitt Community Park.

The median age is 36.9, 42% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $124,215 a year (58% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in McKinney

  • Strong public schools. 78% of the 46 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Low violent crime. 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 70% lower than the Texas rate.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $124,215, 58% higher than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 21% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in McKinney

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,901, 35% higher than the Texas median.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes and hail as very high here.

Who McKinney suits

  • FamiliesA strong fit: 78% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for families.
  • Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 58% higher than the Texas median, with 627 restaurants and 65 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 91% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 11% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 93% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA strong fit: 96% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,901 is 35% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 81% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,901 is 35% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 50% for people on a budget.

McKinney report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare McKinney with other US cities of 50,000+ people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

  • Cost of living: grade B-

    Median rent $1,901, homes cost 3.8x income.

    59 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade A

    Median household income $124,215, 3.7% unemployed.

    94 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A-

    46 rated campuses, 78% rated A or B.

    80 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade A-

    115 violent crimes per 100k, 680 property crimes per 100k.

    86 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    32 grocery stores, 627 restaurants, 159 parks mapped in town.

    79 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 28 min, 24% work from home.

    12 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade A-

    54% have a bachelor’s degree.

    85 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade B

    11% of adults uninsured.

    71 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    64% of homes owner-occupied.

    73 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade A-

    96% of homes have broadband.

    83 of 100 vs US cities

Where McKinney stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $124,21558% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 54%20 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 11%9 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Median rent: $1,90135% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 3.8x5% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 28 min4% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in McKinney

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in McKinney is $1,901 a month, 35% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $76,000 a year. Right now 48% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $471,800, 66% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,582 before tax, or $3,232 with property tax. That is $1,331 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in McKinney pays $7,791 a year, 84% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for McKinney

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in McKinneyStudio$1,4911 bedroom$1,5362 bedrooms$1,8073 bedrooms$2,2754 bedrooms$2,892
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent35% higher than Texas$1,901$1,403$1,413
Median home value66% higher than Texas$471,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income5% higher than Texas3.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent3 points lower than Texas48%52%51%
Median property tax per year84% higher than Texas$7,791$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them1 points higher than Texas64%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,232
Mortgage payment
$2,582
Property tax
$649
Median rent, for comparison
$1,901

Based on a $471,800 home in McKinney, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is McKinney safe?

In 2025, McKinney Police Department reported 271 violent crimes and 1,602 property crimes. That works out to 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 680 property crimes per 100,000, 67% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 11% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in McKinney by yearTexas11520212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
115
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
680
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in McKinney by yearTexas68020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, McKinney Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in McKinney

McKinney has 46 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 78% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Imagine International Academy of North Texas and McKinney ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Imagine International Academy of North Texas, Roy Lee Walker Elementary and McKinney North High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 87 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
80
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
87
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • AImagine International Academy of North TexasOther, Imagine International Academy of North Texas96 of 100
  • ARoy Lee Walker ElementaryElementary, McKinney ISD96 of 100
  • AMcKinney North High SchoolHigh, McKinney ISD95 of 100
  • AMcKinney Boyd High SchoolHigh, McKinney ISD94 of 100
  • AEarl & Lottie Wolford ElementaryElementary, McKinney ISD93 of 100

Best neighborhoods in McKinney

We grade 9 areas inside McKinney. The top three are Northwest McKinney (A), West McKinney (A) and South McKinney (A-). If price matters most, Southeast McKinney has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,560 a month. Northwest McKinney is the priciest, at $2,930. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank McKinney neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    9 McKinney neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1ANorthwest McKinney5,176 people, median rent $2,930, home $531,000100fit
    2. 2AWest McKinney37,430 people, median rent $2,350, home $515,00088fit
    3. 3A-South McKinney41,187 people, median rent $1,880, home $495,00075fit
    4. 4A-Southwest McKinney54,885 people, median rent $1,990, home $535,00063fit
    5. 5A-Central McKinney25,080 people, median rent $2,160, home $431,00050fit
    6. 6BNortheast McKinney3,300 people, median rent $2,430, home $409,00038fit
    7. 7B-Southeast McKinney11,645 people, median rent $1,560, home $341,00025fit
    8. 8C+McKinney Square15,561 people, median rent $1,640, home $377,00013fit
    9. 9C-East McKinney6,219 people, median rent $1,610, home $283,0000fit
    All 9 McKinney neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in McKinney

    Everyday places mapped inside McKinney, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include McKinney Texas Dog Park, Wilson Creek Park, Gabe Nesbitt Community Park.

    The average one-way commute is 28 minutes, 4% longer than the Texas average. 24% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Dallas is about 29 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in McKinney work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $124,215, income per person is $55,643, unemployment is 3.7% and 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    32
    Pharmacies
    31
    Restaurants
    627
    Cafes
    65
    Bars
    48
    Parks
    159
    Gyms
    97
    Hospitals and urgent care
    46
    Childcare
    56
    Libraries
    3

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income58% higher than Texas$124,215$78,476$80,734
    Income per person37% higher than Texas$55,643$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.7%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas5.7%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points higher than Texas54%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher9 points higher than Texas95%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance9 points lower than Texas11%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas96%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute4% higher than Texas28 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home10 points higher than Texas24%14%15%
    Workers who work from home24%
    Workers who take transit0.1%
    Workers who walk0.9%
    Workers who bike0.5%

    Who lives in McKinney

    Under 1826%
    18 to 3421%
    35 to 6443%
    65 and over10%

    Median age 36.9 years. 42% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White52%
    Hispanic or Latino17%
    Black12%
    Asian14%
    Other or more than one race4.7%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in McKinney

    McKinney has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 97 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in McKinney30°50°70°90°56J60F68M75A83M91J95J96A88S78O66N57DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Mckinney Muni Ap, 5 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingModerate
    • HurricanesLow
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailVery high
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsModerate
    • Strong windModerate

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near McKinney

    Nearby, Fairview gets a B, Allen gets an A+ and Lowry Crossing gets a B+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. BFairviewSmall city, 10,783 people6 mi
    2. A+AllenCity, 110,265 people7 mi
    3. B+Lowry CrossingTown, 1,433 people7 mi
    4. AMelissaSmall city, 20,136 people8 mi
    5. BPrincetonSmall city, 25,229 people8 mi
    6. AProsperSmall city, 37,869 people8 mi

    McKinney in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

    How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
    3. 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
    4. 15A+Oak Leaf1,827 people20 mito downtown
    5. 16APlano290,594 people18 mito downtown
    6. 17ASachse30,491 people16 mito downtown
    7. 18AMcKinney210,600 people29 mito downtown
    8. 19AProsper37,869 people31 mito downtown
    9. 20ACopper Canyon2,514 people28 mito downtown
    10. 21AHeath10,777 people18 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of dallas-fort worth

    Living in McKinney: common questions

    Is McKinney, TX a good place to live?

    McKinney earns a grade of A on our index, 7th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on jobs and income and safety, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals, retirees and remote workers.

    How much does it cost to live in McKinney?

    Median rent in McKinney is $1,901 a month, 35% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $471,800, 66% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $3,232, including property tax.

    Is McKinney safe?

    In 2025, McKinney Police Department reported 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 680 per 100,000, 67% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in McKinney?

    We found 46 rated public school campuses inside McKinney. 78% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 80 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in McKinney?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in McKinney are Northwest McKinney, West McKinney and South McKinney. We score 9 areas in the city.

    Does McKinney flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in McKinney as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves and hail. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in McKinney?

    Summers in McKinney peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in McKinney?

    The average one-way commute is 28 min, 4% higher than the Texas average. About 24% of workers work from home. It is about 29 miles from downtown Dallas.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.