Arlington, TX vs McKinney, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 21.2% cheaper than McKinney. With a cost index of 101 vs 128, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to McKinney should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,841/month in McKinney — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $276,400 median vs $439,500.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $120,273 in McKinney (-38.9%). While McKinney is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in McKinney.