Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs McKinney, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

McKinney

Texas
138

Irvine is 86% more expensive than McKinney.

$2,893/mo ↑ 57%
Median Rent
$1,841/mo ↓ 36%
$129,647/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$120,273/yr ↓ 7%
$1,115,400 ↑ 154%
Home Value
$439,500 ↓ 61%
$2,904/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,101/mo ↓ 28%
308,160
Population
202,314

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and McKinney, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,052/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $12,624/year.

Median household income is $9,374/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $439,500 in McKinney.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs McKinney — common questions

Is Irvine or McKinney cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and McKinney?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in McKinney it's $1,841/month — a difference of $1,052/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or McKinney?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $120,273 in McKinney. Median household income is $9,374/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or McKinney?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View McKinney details →

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