City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Lincoln and Mckinney is significant: $71,867 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,086 in Lincoln 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. Lincoln 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. Lincoln at $1,086 average has pockets that run $886 and others at $1,486: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Lincoln and Mckinney are 525 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $815 a month (75%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $52,348 (73%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 40 in Mckinney, down 84 points (68%).
The move
Mckinney and Lincoln are 525 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $815 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $52,348 (42%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 124 in Lincoln, up 84 points (210%).
Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 43% cheaper than Mckinney
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Lincoln is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $815/month back in your pocket ($9,780/year). Over five years that's $48,900 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, Lincoln 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
73% higher
Mckinney's median income is 73% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 73% higher in Mckinney (about $52,348 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. Lincoln can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
68% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 68% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 68% 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. Lincoln can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°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 39% 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 43% cheaper here at about $1,086 a month. Choose Lincoln 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 73% 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 68% lower than Lincoln (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 53/100 in Lincoln). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,086 in Lincoln; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Mckinney still pays more locally ($124,215 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Mckinney rates.
Median income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Mckinney is ahead on safety (88/100 vs 53/100); Lincoln is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,086/month rent plus $71,867 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
Ready to move to Mckinney?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Mckinney when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lincoln and Mckinney, plus other cities in NE and TX.
