Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

McKinney is 30% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,841/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 21%
$120,273/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 55%
$439,500 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 24%
$2,101/mo ↑ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 26%
202,314
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $384/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $4,608/year.

Median household income is $66,507/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Paterson — common questions

Is McKinney or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Paterson?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $384/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Paterson?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $66,507/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Jersey?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Paterson

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon