McKinney, TX vs Tyler, TX

The cost of living difference between McKinney, TX and Tyler, TX is dramatic. Tyler is 47.4% cheaper than McKinney, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McKinney has a cost index of 128 while Tyler sits at 87, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month compared to $1,199/month in Tyler — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tyler is more affordable at $216,400 median vs $439,500.

Median household income in McKinney is $120,273 compared to $65,527 in Tyler (+83.5%). 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 McKinney spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Tyler.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65°F vs 66.6°F). Tyler receives more rainfall at 42.1" per year compared to 38.3" in McKinney.