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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

McKinney

Texas
138

Santa Ana is 18% more expensive than McKinney.

$1,975/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,841/mo ↓ 7%
$88,354/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$120,273/yr ↑ 36%
$657,800 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$439,500 ↓ 33%
$1,965/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,101/mo ↑ 7%
311,639
Population
202,314

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and McKinney, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $134/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $1,608/year.

Median household income is $31,919/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 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

Santa Ana vs McKinney — common questions

Is Santa Ana or McKinney cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and McKinney?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in McKinney it's $1,841/month — a difference of $134/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or McKinney?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $120,273 in McKinney. Median household income is $31,919/year higher in McKinney.
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 Santa Ana or McKinney?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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 Santa Ana details → View McKinney details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and McKinney

Santa Ana vs. Orlando Santa Ana vs. Cincinnati Santa Ana vs. Riverside Santa Ana vs. Irvine Santa Ana vs. Corpus Christi Santa Ana vs. St. Paul McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo