McKinney, TX vs The Woodlands, TX

McKinney, TX and The Woodlands, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. McKinney scores 128 while The Woodlands scores 129 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month compared to $1,792/month in The Woodlands — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while The Woodlands has cheaper rent, McKinney actually has lower median home values ($439,500 vs $479,400).

Median household income in McKinney is $120,273 compared to $141,353 in The Woodlands (-14.9%). While The Woodlands is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of McKinney spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in The Woodlands.

Climate-wise, The Woodlands is notably warmer with an average of 69.8°F compared to 65°F in McKinney. The Woodlands receives more rainfall at 50.8" per year compared to 38.3" in McKinney.