Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Columbia, SC (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

McKinney is 72% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,841/mo ↑ 59%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 37%
$120,273/yr ↑ 116%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 54%
$439,500 ↑ 80%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 45%
$2,101/mo ↑ 80%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 44%
202,314
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $683/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $8,196/year.

Median household income is $64,620/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Columbia — common questions

Is McKinney or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Columbia?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $683/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Columbia?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $64,620/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Columbia details →

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