Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Athens, GA (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

McKinney is 66% more expensive than Athens.

$1,841/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 37%
$120,273/yr ↑ 133%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 57%
$439,500 ↑ 62%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 38%
$2,101/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 45%
202,314
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $679/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $8,148/year.

Median household income is $68,618/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Athens — common questions

Is McKinney or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Athens?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $679/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Athens?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $68,618/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Georgia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Athens details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Athens

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Athens vs. Abilene Athens vs. Topeka Athens vs. Columbia Athens vs. Pearland Athens vs. Lehigh Acres Athens vs. Simi Valley