Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

McKinney is 5% more expensive than Meridian.

$1,841/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↓ 7%
$120,273/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↓ 18%
$439,500 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 10%
$2,101/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 24%
202,314
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in Meridian, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $21,587/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Meridian — common questions

Is McKinney or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Meridian is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Meridian?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Meridian?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $21,587/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Meridian details →

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