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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Fairfield

California
167

McKinney is 17% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,841/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 19%
$120,273/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 15%
$439,500 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 35%
$2,101/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 6%
202,314
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $350/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $4,200/year.

Median household income is $17,952/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Fairfield — common questions

Is McKinney or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Fairfield?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $350/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Fairfield?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $17,952/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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Fairfield

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill