Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs McKinney, TX (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

McKinney

Texas
138

Arlington is 47% more expensive than McKinney.

$2,275/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,841/mo ↓ 19%
$140,160/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$120,273/yr ↓ 14%
$864,800 ↑ 97%
Home Value
$439,500 ↓ 49%
$2,414/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$2,101/mo ↓ 13%
235,463
Population
202,314

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and McKinney, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $434/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $5,208/year.

Median household income is $19,887/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $439,500 in McKinney.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs McKinney — common questions

Is Arlington or McKinney cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and McKinney?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in McKinney it's $1,841/month — a difference of $434/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or McKinney?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $120,273 in McKinney. Median household income is $19,887/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or McKinney?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while McKinney has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,841/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View McKinney details →

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