City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Lubbock and Mckinney is significant: $60,895 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,182 in Lubbock 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. Lubbock 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. Lubbock at $1,182 average has pockets that run $982 and others at $1,582: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Lubbock and Mckinney are 303 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $719 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $63,320 (104%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 40 in Mckinney, down 149 points (79%).
The move
Mckinney and Lubbock are 303 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $719 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $63,320 (51%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 189 in Lubbock, up 149 points (373%).
Lubbock, 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 Lubbock and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 38% cheaper than Mckinney
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Lubbock is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $719/month back in your pocket ($8,628/year). Over five years that's $43,140 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, Lubbock 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
104% higher
Mckinney's median income is 104% higher than Lubbock
Lubbock
$60,895
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 104% higher in Mckinney (about $63,320 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. Lubbock can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
79% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 79% lower than Lubbock
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 79% 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. Lubbock can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Lubbock averages around 62°F. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney scores 9% 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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 38% cheaper here at about $1,182 a month. Choose Lubbock 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 104% 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 79% lower than Lubbock (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 41/100 in Lubbock. Rent is $1,901/month in Mckinney and $1,182/month in Lubbock, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Lubbock rent at $1,182/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Mckinney; Lubbock only makes sense when you have walked the Lubbock ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,182 rent.
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