Moving from San Antonio, TX to McKinney, TX
Relocating between San Antonio, TX and McKinney, TX is a 309 mi drive β 5h 38m 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.
309 mi Β· 5h 38m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
McKinney runs about 8.8% more expensive overall than San Antonio β RPP 94.716 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $249,810 in San Antonio to $481,963 in McKinney, a 8.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.0Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.8% β $62,917 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.
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 San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 92.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 91.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McKinney, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 309 mi and the route typically takes 5h 38m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 8.8% higher than San Antonio (103.09 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 309 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· McKinney, TX.