Moving from Clearwater, FL to McKinney, TX
A move from Clearwater, FL to McKinney, TX covers 1094 mi and around 21h 7m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1094 mi Β· 21h 7m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Plano, Allen, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in McKinney and Clearwater is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McKinney is 2.2% above Clearwater β $339,488 vs $481,963 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | β |
McKinney is 9.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (73.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 2.2% above Clearwater ($64,440 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.
Moving between Florida 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.
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 Clearwater vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 86.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 42.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McKinney more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 2.2% higher than Clearwater (103.09 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1094 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McKinney, TX from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 1094 mi and the route typically takes 21h 7m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 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 Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· McKinney, TX.