Moving from Chattanooga, TN to McKinney, TX
It is 781 mi between Chattanooga and McKinney β roughly 14h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
781 mi Β· 14h 2m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
McKinney runs about 12.7% more expensive overall than Chattanooga β RPP 91.464 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $319,579 in Chattanooga to $481,963 in McKinney, a 12.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chattanooga | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 12.7% more than Chattanooga at the median β $61,028 β $120,273 on ACS 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.
Moving between Tennessee and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $61,028 in Chattanooga β a 97.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $319,579 in Chattanooga β a 50.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McKinney, TX from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 781 mi and the route typically takes 14h 2m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 12.7% higher than Chattanooga (103.09 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 781 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN Β· McKinney, TX.