City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Cleveland and Mckinney is significant: $64,468 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,060 in Cleveland and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Mckinney is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Mckinney is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Cleveland and Mckinney are 998 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $841 a month (79%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $59,747 (93%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 40 in Mckinney, down 301 points (88%).
The move
Mckinney and Cleveland are 998 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $841 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $59,747 (48%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 341 in Cleveland, up 301 points (753%).
Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 44% cheaper than Mckinney
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Cleveland is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $841/month back in your pocket ($10,092/year). Over five years that's $50,460 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, Cleveland 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
93% higher
Mckinney's median income is 93% higher than Cleveland
Cleveland
$64,468
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 93% higher in Mckinney (about $59,747 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. Cleveland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
88% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 88% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 88% 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. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 52% more comfortable than Cleveland
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Cleveland averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Cleveland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 44% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 93% higher ($124,215), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Mckinney is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 88% lower than Cleveland (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Mckinney: Mckinney scores 88/100 versus 23/100 in Cleveland, with typical rent at $1,901 versus $1,060. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cleveland before trading 65 safety points for housing savings.
Mckinney still pays more locally ($124,215 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Mckinney rates.
Median income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
If safety drives your move, Mckinney is the stronger match (88/100 safety versus 23/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Cleveland, treat $1,060/month rent and $64,468 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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