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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Lancaster

California
124

McKinney is 11% more expensive than Lancaster.

$1,841/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↓ 8%
$120,273/yr ↑ 58%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↓ 37%
$439,500 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$409,100 ↓ 7%
$2,101/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↓ 17%
202,314
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $145/month cheaper in Lancaster, saving renters about $1,740/year.

Median household income is $44,190/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Lancaster — common questions

Is McKinney or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lancaster is cheaper to live in with an index of 124 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Lancaster?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $145/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Lancaster?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $44,190/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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

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