City comparison
No. Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 157 in San Jose, and its violent crime index is 34 versus 161, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Mckinney is cheaper. Median rent is $1,901 a month versus $2,669 in San Jose.
Safety is where San Jose and Mckinney split most clearly. Mckinney scores 117 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,669 in San Jose and $1,901 in Mckinney.
This is a genuine split. San Jose wins on the job market and Mckinney wins on cost of living 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. Mckinney at $1,901 average has pockets that run $1,701 and others at $2,301: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Jose and Mckinney are 1,450 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,669 a month in San Jose to $1,901 a month in Mckinney, down $768 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $146,427 in San Jose to $124,215 in Mckinney, down $22,212 (15%).
The crime index goes from 157 in San Jose to 40 in Mckinney, down 117 points (75%).
The move
Mckinney and San Jose are 1,450 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,901 a month in Mckinney to $2,669 a month in San Jose, up $768 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $124,215 in Mckinney to $146,427 in San Jose, up $22,212 (18%).
The crime index goes from 40 in Mckinney to 157 in San Jose, up 117 points (293%).
San Jose, CA
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 San Jose and Mckinney? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Mckinney rent is 29% cheaper than San Jose
San Jose
$2,669/mo
Mckinney
Winner$1,901/mo
Typical rent runs $1,901 a month in Mckinney versus $2,669 in San Jose, so Mckinney is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $768/month back in your pocket ($9,216/year). Over five years that's $46,080 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 San Jose, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Mckinney 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
18% higher
San Jose's median income is 18% higher than Mckinney
San Jose
Winner$146,427
Mckinney
$124,215
Median household income is $146,427 in San Jose versus $124,215 in Mckinney, so typical pay runs 18% higher in San Jose (about $22,212 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, San Jose is the stronger labor market on paper. Mckinney can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
75% lower crime
Mckinney's crime index is 75% lower than San Jose
San Jose
157 (100 = avg)
Mckinney
Winner40 (100 = avg)
Mckinney's crime index is 40 versus 157 in San Jose (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 75% 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. San Jose can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Jose and Mckinney are about even on typical weather.
San Jose
69°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mckinney
67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Jose averages about 69°F (80°F highs); Mckinney averages about 67°F (76°F highs). San Jose sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Mckinney sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
San Jose is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 18% higher here ($146,427). Start with San Jose if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Mckinney is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,901 a month. Choose Mckinney if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Mckinney is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 75% lower than San Jose (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 46/100 in San Jose). Typical rent is $1,901 in Mckinney and $2,669 in San Jose; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
San Jose still pays more locally ($146,427 median income vs $124,215), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Jose rates.
Median income is $146,427 in San Jose versus $124,215 in Mckinney.
Between San Jose and Mckinney, Mckinney is ahead on safety — 88/100 safety versus 46/100. Lean San Jose instead when you already know the San Jose block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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