City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
Safety is where Arlington and Mckinney split most clearly. Mckinney scores 92 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $1,901 in Mckinney.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Mckinney wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Arlington at $1,470 average has pockets that run $1,270 and others at $1,870: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Mckinney are 43 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $431 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $49,044 (65%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 40 in Mckinney, down 92 points (70%).
The move
Mckinney and Arlington are 43 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $431 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $75,171 in Arlington, down $49,044 (39%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 132 in Arlington, up 92 points (230%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Mckinney, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Arlington rent is 23% cheaper than Mckinney
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Arlington is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $431/month back in your pocket ($5,172/year). Over five years that's $25,860 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Mckinney, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Arlington is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
65% higher
Mckinney's median income is 65% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 65% higher in Mckinney (about $49,044 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Mckinney is the stronger labor market on paper. Arlington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
70% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 70% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% lower in Mckinney. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Mckinney is the easier city. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Mckinney are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mckinney
67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Arlington
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Mckinney is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 65% higher here ($124,215). Start with Mckinney if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Mckinney is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 70% lower than Arlington (40 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Mckinney leads on safety (88/100 vs 52/100 in Arlington). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,470 in Arlington; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Between Arlington and Mckinney, Mckinney is ahead on safety — 88/100 safety versus 52/100. Lean Arlington instead when you already know the Arlington block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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