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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Berkeley

California
251

McKinney is 45% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,841/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 16%
$120,273/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↓ 10%
$439,500 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 207%
$2,101/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 11%
202,314
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $286/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $3,432/year.

Median household income is $11,715/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Berkeley — common questions

Is McKinney or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Berkeley?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $286/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Berkeley?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $11,715/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Berkeley details →

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