Moving from Sacramento, CA to McKinney, TX
It is 1714 mi and 30h 31m from Sacramento to McKinney β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1714 mi Β· 30h 31m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 106.67 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $479,766 vs $481,963.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sacramento | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Sacramento (63.4Β°F) and McKinney (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.4% β $83,753 β $120,273 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $83,753 in Sacramento β a 43.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1714 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $479,766 in Sacramento β a 0.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McKinney, TX from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 1714 mi and the route typically takes 30h 31m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 3.4% lower than Sacramento (103.09 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA Β· McKinney, TX.