City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 136 in Newark, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 159, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Newark and Mckinney is significant: $52,060 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark 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. Newark 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. Newark at $1,392 average has pockets that run $1,192 and others at $1,792: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Newark and Mckinney are 1,339 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $509 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $72,155 (139%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 40 in Mckinney, down 96 points (71%).
The move
Mckinney and Newark are 1,339 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $509 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $52,060 in Newark, down $72,155 (58%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 136 in Newark, up 96 points (240%).
Newark, NJ
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 Newark and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Newark rent is 27% cheaper than Mckinney
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Newark is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $509/month back in your pocket ($6,108/year). Over five years that's $30,540 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, Newark 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
139% higher
Mckinney's median income is 139% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 139% higher in Mckinney (about $72,155 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. Newark can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
71% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 71% lower than Newark
Newark
136 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 136 in Newark (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 71% 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. Newark can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 45% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Newark averages around 54°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 45% 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 Newark 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 Newark
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,392 a month. Choose Newark 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 139% 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 71% lower than Newark (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 51/100 in Newark). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,392 in Newark; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Newark rent at $1,392/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,392 in Newark and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Mckinney is ahead on safety (88/100 vs 51/100); Newark is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,392/month rent plus $52,060 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
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