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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

McKinney is 86% more expensive than Knoxville.

$1,841/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 39%
$120,273/yr ↑ 136%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 58%
$439,500 ↑ 105%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 51%
$2,101/mo ↑ 95%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 49%
202,314
Population
193,721

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
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $725/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $8,700/year.

Median household income is $69,279/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Knoxville — common questions

Is McKinney or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Knoxville?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $725/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Knoxville?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $69,279/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 Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Knoxville details →

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