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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Salinas

California
156

McKinney is 12% cheaper than Salinas.

$1,841/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,923/mo ↑ 4%
$120,273/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$89,150/yr ↓ 26%
$439,500 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$610,900 ↑ 39%
$2,101/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,912/mo ↓ 9%
202,314
Population
161,993

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
25.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Salinas, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 156 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $82/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $984/year.

Median household income is $31,123/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $610,900 in Salinas.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Salinas — common questions

Is McKinney or Salinas cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 156 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Salinas?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Salinas it's $1,923/month — a difference of $82/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Salinas?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $89,150 in Salinas. Median household income is $31,123/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 Salinas?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Salinas has a cost index of 156 with rent of $1,923/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Salinas details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Salinas

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