Moving from Waco, TX to McKinney, TX
Moving from Waco, TX to McKinney, TX covers 132 mi and about 2h 31m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
132 mi Β· 2h 31m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, 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
| Waco | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.55 in Waco to 103.09 in McKinney, a 11.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in McKinney: 11.4% above Waco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 11.4% above Waco ($51,468 vs $120,273, ACS 5-year 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
When is the best time to move from Waco to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 132 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 Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $194,245 in Waco β a 148.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 11.4% higher than Waco (103.09 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McKinney, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 132 mi and the route typically takes 2h 31m via I 35E and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $51,468 in Waco β a 133.7% 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· McKinney, TX.