Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from McKinney to Houston
The 2024 ACS 5-year data reveals McKinney has a median household income of $124,215 and median home value of $471,800, while Houston reports $64,813 income and $277,800 home value. Both cities share a 30-minute average one-way commute derived from ACS table B08303. McKinney’s higher income supports greater housing costs, but its rent-to-income ratio is lower than Houston’s when considering gross rent relative to income. Texas has no state individual income tax, so after-tax income aligns closely with pre-tax figures in both locations. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month applies equally, meaning disposable income after essentials varies significantly. McKinney residents retain more income after housing and baseline costs, though Houston offers lower absolute housing expenses. The trade-off centers on income level versus purchasing power, with no universal preference implied.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → McKinneyMoving from McKinney to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$540/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$6,480/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
Equal time
Both cities average the same one-way commute duration.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMCK → HOU
67/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$18,864after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $6,480 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
McKinney household income$124,215
Houston household income$64,813
McKinney gross rent$1,901
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | McKinney | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 210,600 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $124,215 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,901 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $471,800 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 30 minutes in McKinney and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income disparity
- Median home value comparison
- Median gross rent levels
- Commute time equivalence
What each city wins
McKinney
Median home value is nearly 3.8 times median household income.. Watch higher income supports housing costs but may reflect tradeoffs in commute or non-housing expenses..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How does income affect housing affordability in McKinney vs Houston?
McKinney’s median income is nearly double Houston’s, but home values are 70% higher. Despite higher absolute costs, McKinney’s income better supports housing expenses, resulting in a more favorable rent-to-income ratio than Houston’s when comparing gross rent to earnings.
What role does commute time play in comparing these two Texas cities?
Both cities show identical 30-minute average one-way commute times from ACS data, indicating similar regional transportation burdens. This parity means commute duration does not differentiate livability between McKinney and Houston in this analysis, shifting focus to income and housing cost relationships.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.