Moving from Pearland, TX to McKinney, TX
Relocating between Pearland, TX and McKinney, TX is a 290 mi drive β 5h 17m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
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
| Pearland | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 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
4.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Pearland -0.8%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pearland | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.3" | β |
Expect 6.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pearland | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $112,470 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.6% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.86 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.5% higher in McKinney than Pearland.
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 much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Pearland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $382,157 in Pearland β a 26.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Pearland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $46,960 in the Pearland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pearland to McKinney?
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.
Is McKinney more expensive than Pearland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 4.5% higher than Pearland (103.09 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McKinney, TX from Pearland, 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 household income compare in Pearland vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $112,470 in Pearland β a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pearland.
City profiles: Pearland, TX Β· McKinney, TX.