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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

McKinney is 60% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,841/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 66%
$120,273/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 51%
$439,500 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 313%
$2,101/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 44%
202,314
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,224/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $14,688/year.

Median household income is $61,589/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is McKinney or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,224/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $61,589/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Sunnyvale details →

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