Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

McKinney is 38% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,841/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 29%
$120,273/yr ↑ 88%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 47%
$439,500 ↑ 25%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 20%
$2,101/mo ↑ 53%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 35%
202,314
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $530/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $6,360/year.

Median household income is $56,373/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Wilmington — common questions

Is McKinney or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Wilmington?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $530/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Wilmington?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $56,373/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Wilmington details →

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