City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
The income gap between Oklahoma City and Mckinney is significant: $68,656 median household versus $124,215. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,130 in Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Mckinney are 165 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $771 a month (68%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $55,559 (81%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 40 in Mckinney, down 143 points (78%).
The move
Mckinney and Oklahoma City are 165 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $771 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $55,559 (45%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 143 points (358%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
41% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 41% cheaper than Mckinney
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Oklahoma City is 41% cheaper. That's roughly $771/month back in your pocket ($9,252/year). Over five years that's $46,260 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, Oklahoma City 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
81% higher
Mckinney's median income is 81% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 81% higher in Mckinney (about $55,559 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
78% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 78% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 78% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney scores 12% 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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 41% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 81% 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 78% lower than Oklahoma City (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 42/100 in Oklahoma City). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,130 in Oklahoma City; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Mckinney still pays more locally ($124,215 median income vs $68,656), which can offset the lease if your field pays Mckinney rates.
Median income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
Mckinney is ahead on safety (88/100 vs 42/100); Oklahoma City is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,130/month rent plus $68,656 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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