Moving from Tacoma, WA to McKinney, TX
A 2082 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and McKinney is 37h 10m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2082 mi Β· 37h 10m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has McKinney at 103.09 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $493,840 vs $481,963.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | β |
Annual temperature rises 11.2Β°F moving to McKinney per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 7.2% more than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 β $120,273 on ACS 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2082 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is McKinney, TX from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2082 mi and the route typically takes 37h 10m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 43.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McKinney more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 7.2% lower than Tacoma (103.09 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 2.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· McKinney, TX.