Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Chattanooga, TN (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

McKinney is 70% more expensive than Chattanooga.

$1,841/mo ↑ 59%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↓ 37%
$120,273/yr ↑ 97%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↓ 49%
$439,500 ↑ 70%
Home Value
$259,200 ↓ 41%
$2,101/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↓ 47%
202,314
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $686/month cheaper in Chattanooga, saving renters about $8,232/year.

Median household income is $59,245/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is McKinney or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chattanooga is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Chattanooga?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $686/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $59,245/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Chattanooga details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Chattanooga

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