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

San Jose

California
254
VS

McKinney

Texas
138

San Jose is 84% more expensive than McKinney.

$2,617/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,841/mo ↓ 30%
$141,565/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$120,273/yr ↓ 15%
$1,187,800 ↑ 170%
Home Value
$439,500 ↓ 63%
$2,775/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,101/mo ↓ 24%
990,054
Population
202,314

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and McKinney, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $776/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $9,312/year.

Median household income is $21,292/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $439,500 in McKinney.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs McKinney — common questions

Is San Jose or McKinney cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and McKinney?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in McKinney it's $1,841/month — a difference of $776/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or McKinney?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $120,273 in McKinney. Median household income is $21,292/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or McKinney?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while McKinney has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,841/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View McKinney details →

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