City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Houston and Mckinney is significant: $64,813 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,361 in Houston and $1,901 in Mckinney.
This is a genuine split. Houston 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. Houston at $1,361 average has pockets that run $1,161 and others at $1,761: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Houston and Mckinney are 248 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $540 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $59,402 (92%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 40 in Mckinney, down 230 points (85%).
The move
Mckinney and Houston are 248 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $540 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $64,813 in Houston, down $59,402 (48%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 270 in Houston, up 230 points (575%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Houston rent is 28% cheaper than Mckinney
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Houston is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $540/month back in your pocket ($6,480/year). Over five years that's $32,400 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, Houston 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
92% higher
Mckinney's median income is 92% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 92% higher in Mckinney (about $59,402 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. Houston can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
85% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 85% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 85% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Mckinney are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mckinney
67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Houston sits near 70°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 Houston
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston 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 92% 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 85% lower than Houston (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
Safety is the widest gap: Mckinney scores 88/100 versus 30/100 in Houston. Rent is $1,901/month in Mckinney and $1,361/month in Houston, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Houston rent at $1,361/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,361 in Houston and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Between Houston and Mckinney, Mckinney is ahead on safety — 88/100 safety versus 30/100. Lean Houston instead when you already know the Houston block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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