Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

McKinney is 10% more expensive than Surprise.

$1,841/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 4%
$120,273/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↓ 22%
$439,500 ↑ 11%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 10%
$2,101/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 24%
202,314
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $76/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $912/year.

Median household income is $26,902/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Surprise — common questions

Is McKinney or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Surprise?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $76/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Surprise?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $26,902/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Surprise

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite