City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Lexington and Mckinney is significant: $69,479 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington 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. Lexington 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. Lexington at $1,164 average has pockets that run $964 and others at $1,564: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Lexington and Mckinney are 757 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $737 a month (63%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $54,736 (79%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 40 in Mckinney, down 62 points (61%).
The move
Mckinney and Lexington are 757 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $737 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $69,479 in Lexington, down $54,736 (44%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 102 in Lexington, up 62 points (155%).
Lexington, KY
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 Lexington and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Lexington rent is 39% cheaper than Mckinney
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Lexington is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $737/month back in your pocket ($8,844/year). Over five years that's $44,220 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, Lexington 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
79% higher
Mckinney's median income is 79% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 79% higher in Mckinney (about $54,736 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. Lexington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
61% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 61% lower than Lexington
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 61% 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. Lexington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
41% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 41% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Mckinney
Winner64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs); Mckinney averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Mckinney averages around 64°F. Mckinney scores 41% 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 Lexington 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 Lexington
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 39% cheaper here at about $1,164 a month. Choose Lexington 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 79% higher ($124,215), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 64°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 61% lower than Lexington (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 59/100 in Lexington). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,164 in Lexington; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Mckinney still pays more locally ($124,215 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Mckinney rates.
Median income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Mckinney; Lexington only makes sense when you have walked the Lexington ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,164 rent.
Common questions
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