City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Phoenix is cheaper. Median rent is $1,582 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
Safety is where Phoenix and Mckinney split most clearly. Mckinney scores 134 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,582 in Phoenix 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. Phoenix 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. Phoenix at $1,582 average has pockets that run $1,382 and others at $1,982: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Phoenix and Mckinney are 892 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $319 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $42,883 (53%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 40 in Mckinney, down 134 points (77%).
The move
Mckinney and Phoenix are 892 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, down $319 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $81,332 in Phoenix, down $42,883 (35%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 174 in Phoenix, up 134 points (335%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Phoenix rent is 17% cheaper than Mckinney
Phoenix
Winner$1,582/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,582 a month in Phoenix versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Phoenix is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,828, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Phoenix still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Mckinney.
Planning to buy in Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
53% higher
Mckinney's median income is 53% higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
$81,332
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $81,332 in Phoenix, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Mckinney (about $42,883 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. Phoenix can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
77% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 77% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 77% 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. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Mckinney weather is 3% more comfortable than Phoenix
Phoenix
81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Mckinney
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney scores 3% 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix
Phoenix is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,582 a month. Choose Phoenix 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 53% 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 77% lower than Phoenix (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 43/100 in Phoenix. Rent is $1,901/month in Mckinney and $1,582/month in Phoenix, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Phoenix rent at $1,582/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,901 in Mckinney.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Mckinney; Phoenix only makes sense when you have walked the Phoenix ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,582 rent.
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 Phoenix and Mckinney, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
