Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Cary, NC (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

McKinney is 2% more expensive than Cary.

$1,841/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↓ 12%
$120,273/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 8%
$439,500 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 19%
$2,101/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↓ 17%
202,314
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $220/month cheaper in Cary, saving renters about $2,640/year.

Median household income is $9,126/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Cary — common questions

Is McKinney or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cary is cheaper to live in with an index of 135 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Cary?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $220/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Cary?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $9,126/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Cary details →

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