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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Palmdale

California
130

McKinney is 6% more expensive than Palmdale.

$1,841/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↓ 6%
$120,273/yr ↑ 48%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↓ 33%
$439,500 ≈ Same
Home Value
$435,300 ≈ Same
$2,101/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↓ 13%
202,314
Population
165,487

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 Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $105/month cheaper in Palmdale, saving renters about $1,260/year.

Median household income is $39,122/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Palmdale — common questions

Is McKinney or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palmdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 130 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Palmdale?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $105/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Palmdale?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $39,122/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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Palmdale

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona