Moving from Austin, TX to McKinney, TX
Moving from Austin, TX to McKinney, TX covers 228 mi and about 4h 7m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
228 mi Β· 4h 7m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.066 in Austin to 103.09 in McKinney, a 5.1% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: McKinney ZHVI at $481,963 is 5.1% below Austin at $508,530.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | β |
McKinney is 5.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.0Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 5.1% above Austin ($91,461 vs $120,273, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McKinney average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Austin vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $91,461 in Austin β a 31.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McKinney more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 5.1% higher than Austin (103.09 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $508,530 in Austin β a 5.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Austin to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is McKinney, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 228 mi and the route typically takes 4h 7m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· McKinney, TX.