Moving from McKinney, TX to Pearland, TX
It is a 290 mi drive, roughly 5h 17m, between McKinney, TX and Pearland, 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.
290 mi Β· 5h 17m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75, TX 121 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Pearland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Pearland -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 53.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4Β°F moving to Pearland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 125,983 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $112,470 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 29.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.89 |
Households in Pearland earn about 4.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pearland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Pearland average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Pearland averages 53.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
Is Pearland more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pearland is 4.3% lower than McKinney (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Pearland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 290 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pearland, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 290 mi and the route typically takes 5h 17m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pearland compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pearland MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Pearland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,470 in Pearland vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pearland compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,157 in Pearland vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 20.7% 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· Pearland, TX.