Moving from Laredo, TX to McKinney, TX
It is a 461 mi drive, roughly 8h 14m, between Laredo, TX and McKinney, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
461 mi Β· 8h 14m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 27, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
McKinney runs about 18.6% more expensive overall than Laredo β RPP 86.956 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $220,331 in Laredo to $481,963 in McKinney, a 18.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Laredo | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 100Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | β |
Annual temperature drops 10.1Β°F moving to McKinney per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 18.6% more than Laredo at the median β $63,264 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 461 mi and the route typically takes 8h 14m via I 35 and I 27. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $63,264 in Laredo β a 90.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $220,331 in Laredo β a 118.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McKinney more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 18.6% higher than Laredo (103.09 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Laredo to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 461 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 Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX Β· McKinney, TX.