Moving from College Station, TX to McKinney, TX
Moving from College Station, TX to McKinney, TX covers 216 mi and about 3h 56m 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.
216 mi Β· 3h 56m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, TX 6, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.3% pricier overall in McKinney than College Station on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McKinney typical home at $481,963 is 13.3% above College Station at $349,041 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 13.3% above College Station ($51,776 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 far is McKinney, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 216 mi and the route typically takes 3h 56m via I 35E and TX 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 13.3% higher than College Station (103.09 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in College Station vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $51,776 in College Station β a 132.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $349,041 in College Station β a 38.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 216 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· McKinney, TX.