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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

McKinney is 39% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,841/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 30%
$120,273/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↓ 8%
$439,500 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 140%
$2,101/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 17%
202,314
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $554/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $6,648/year.

Median household income is $10,200/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is McKinney or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $554/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $10,200/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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Costa Mesa

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Costa Mesa vs. Everett Costa Mesa vs. Temecula Costa Mesa vs. Miami Gardens Costa Mesa vs. Ventura Costa Mesa vs. Pueblo Costa Mesa vs. Santa Maria