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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

McKinney and Santa Maria have a similar cost of living.

$1,841/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ≈ Same
$120,273/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 30%
$439,500 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 9%
$2,101/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 15%
202,314
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $35,656/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is McKinney or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Maria is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Santa Maria?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $1/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $35,656/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 Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Santa Maria

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Santa Maria vs. Ventura Santa Maria vs. Sugar Land Santa Maria vs. Temecula Santa Maria vs. Greeley Santa Maria vs. Costa Mesa Santa Maria vs. South Fulton