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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Fullerton

California
195

McKinney is 29% cheaper than Fullerton.

$1,841/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↑ 15%
$120,273/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↓ 13%
$439,500 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 96%
$2,101/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↑ 7%
202,314
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $283/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $3,396/year.

Median household income is $16,054/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Fullerton — common questions

Is McKinney or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Fullerton?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $283/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Fullerton?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $16,054/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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Fullerton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Fullerton

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Fullerton vs. Waco Fullerton vs. Metairie Fullerton vs. Visalia Fullerton vs. Orange Fullerton vs. Thornton Fullerton vs. Warren