City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 51 in Irvine, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 24, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Mckinney is cheaper. Median rent is $1,901 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The cost gap between Irvine and Mckinney is the real story here. Mckinney comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($2,997 vs $1,901), which over a year adds up to $13,152. Median household income runs $136,719 in Irvine and $124,215 in Mckinney.
This is a genuine split. Irvine wins on the job market and Mckinney wins on cost of living 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. Mckinney at $1,901 average has pockets that run $1,701 and others at $2,301: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irvine and Mckinney are 1,221 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, down $1,096 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $124,215 in Mckinney, down $12,504 (9%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 40 in Mckinney, down 11 points (22%).
The move
Mckinney and Irvine are 1,221 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,096 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $136,719 in Irvine, up $12,504 (10%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 51 in Irvine, up 11 points (28%).
Irvine, CA
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 Irvine and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Mckinney rent is 37% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Mckinney
Winner$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,901 a month in Mckinney versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Mckinney is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $1,096/month back in your pocket ($13,152/year). Over five years that's $65,760 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 Irvine, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Mckinney 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
10% higher
Irvine's median income is 10% higher than Mckinney
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Mckinney
$124,215
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $124,215 in Mckinney, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Irvine (about $12,504 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
22% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 22% lower than Irvine
Irvine
51 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 51 in Irvine (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% 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. Irvine can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Irvine and Mckinney are about even on typical weather.
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mckinney
67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irvine is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($136,719). Start with Irvine if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Mckinney is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,901 a month. Choose Mckinney if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Mckinney is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Irvine (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Mckinney at $1,901/month versus $2,997 in Irvine ($1,096 apart). Irvine median income is $136,719 against $124,215 in Mckinney, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Mckinney rent at $1,901/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $124,215 in Mckinney.
Mckinney clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Irvine deserves a serious look only when your $136,719 income offer in Irvine outweighs saving $1,096/month in Mckinney.
Common questions
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