Moving from McKinney, TX to Midland, TX
It is a 359 mi drive, roughly 6h 20m, between McKinney, TX and Midland, 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.
359 mi Β· 6h 20m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, SRT, TX 121 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Midland at 95.783 vs McKinney at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $481,963 to $328,325 moving to Midland.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 13.6" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Midland (65.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Midland averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.54 |
Midland households earn about 7.1% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 β $91,169 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 Midland average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 McKinney vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Midland, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 359 mi and the route typically takes 6h 20m via I 20 and SRT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 359 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Midland more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 7.1% lower than McKinney (95.783 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Midland compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 114,810 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 31.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Midland, TX.