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Reno, NV vs Mckinney, TX

Is Reno safer than Mckinney?

No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.

Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney.

Safety is where Reno and Mckinney split most clearly. Mckinney scores 111 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,556 in Reno 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. Reno 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. Reno at $1,556 average has pockets that run $1,356 and others at $1,956: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

The move

Moving from Reno to Mckinney

Reno and Mckinney are 1,358 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, up $345 a month (22%).

Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $124,215 in Mckinney, up $43,455 (54%).

The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 40 in Mckinney, down 111 points (74%).

The move

Moving from Mckinney to Reno

Mckinney and Reno are 1,358 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $345 a month (18%).

Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $80,760 in Reno, down $43,455 (35%).

The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 151 in Reno, up 111 points (278%).

Reno, NV

Rent
$1,556/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,837/mo
Median income
80,760
Crime index
151
Weather
62°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Mckinney, TX

Rent
$1,901/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,807/mo
Median income
124,215
Crime index
40
Weather
67°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Comparing Reno and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.

Rent

18% cheaper

Reno rent is 18% cheaper than Mckinney

Reno

Winner

$1,556/mo

Mckinney

$1,901/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,901 in Mckinney, so Reno is 18% 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 $4,140, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Reno 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

54% higher

Mckinney's median income is 54% higher than Reno

Reno

$80,760

Mckinney

Winner

$124,215

What this means for your life

Median household income is $124,215 in Mckinney versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 54% higher in Mckinney (about $43,455 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. Reno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

74% lower crime

Mckinney's crime index is 74% lower than Reno

Reno

151 (100 = avg)

Mckinney

Winner

40 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% 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. Reno 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 Reno

Reno

62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100

Mckinney

Winner

67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Reno 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 Reno if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Reno

People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Reno

Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,556 a month. Choose Reno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Open the Reno report →

Fit check

Who should choose Mckinney

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 54% 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 74% lower than Reno (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.

Open the Mckinney report →

Bottom line

Reno vs Mckinney: Our Take

Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Mckinney leads on safety (88/100 vs 47/100 in Reno). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $1,556 in Reno; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.

Reno rent at $1,556/month is still below Mckinney's $1,901, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Typical rent stays $1,556 in Reno and $1,901 in Mckinney.

Most movers who prioritize safety land in Mckinney; Reno only makes sense when you have walked the Reno ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,556 rent.

Common questions

Reno vs Mckinney FAQ

Is Reno cheaper than Mckinney?
Yes. Typical rent in Reno is $1,556 a month versus $1,901 in Mckinney (18% cheaper). Median household income is $80,760 in Reno compared with $124,215 in Mckinney, so Mckinney has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Reno or Mckinney?
Mckinney is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 40 versus 151 in Reno (74% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Reno or Mckinney?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Reno. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Mckinney. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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