City comparison
Mckinney is safer than Raleigh. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.
Safety is where Raleigh and Mckinney split most clearly. Mckinney scores 102 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,901 in Mckinney.
This is a genuine split. Raleigh wins on cost of living and Mckinney wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Raleigh and Mckinney are 1,038 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $329 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $38,820 (45%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 40 in Mckinney, down 102 points (72%).
The move
Mckinney and Raleigh are 1,038 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $329 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $38,820 (31%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 142 in Raleigh, up 102 points (255%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 17% cheaper than Mckinney
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Mckinney
$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Raleigh 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 $3,948, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Raleigh 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
45% higher
Mckinney's median income is 45% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Mckinney
Winner$124,215
Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 45% higher in Mckinney (about $38,820 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. Raleigh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
72% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 72% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% 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. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Raleigh and Mckinney are about even on typical weather.
Raleigh
64°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 97/100
Mckinney
64°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 97/100
Raleigh averages about 64°F (74°F highs); Mckinney averages about 64°F (72°F highs). Raleigh averages around 64°F. Mckinney averages around 64°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Raleigh
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Mckinney is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 45% higher here ($124,215). Start with Mckinney if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Mckinney is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than Raleigh (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Mckinney: Mckinney scores 88/100 versus 49/100 in Raleigh, with typical rent at $1,901 versus $1,572. I would vet the exact ZIP in Raleigh before trading 39 safety points for housing savings.
Raleigh rent at $1,572/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,901 in Mckinney.
If safety drives your move, Mckinney is the stronger match (88/100 safety versus 49/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Raleigh, treat $1,572/month rent and $85,395 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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