Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from McKinney to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, McKinney, TX has a higher median household income ($124,215) and higher median gross rent ($1,901) compared to Phoenix, AZ ($81,332 income, $1,582 rent). McKinney’s median home value is also higher ($471,800 vs. $420,700). Commute times are similar, with McKinney at 30 minutes and Phoenix at 28 minutes. Phoenix applies a simplified state individual income-tax rate of 2.50% in the calculator, while McKinney’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline is $1,250/month for both. These figures reflect a trade-off: McKinney offers higher income and housing costs, Phoenix offers lower income and costs with a modeled tax rate.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → McKinneyMoving from McKinney to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$319/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$3,828/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-2 min / day
Difference of ~17 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
63/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$13,412after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $3,828 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
McKinney gross rent$1,901
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | McKinney | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 210,600 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $124,215 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,901 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $471,800 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 30 minutes in McKinney and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax treatment in calculator
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do median rents compare between McKinney and Phoenix?
McKinney’s median gross rent is $1,901 per month, while Phoenix’s is $1,582 per month, based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates. This reflects a $319 monthly difference in favor of Phoenix for lower housing costs.
What is the difference in median household income between the two cities?
McKinney’s median household income is $124,215, compared to Phoenix’s $81,332, a difference of $42,883. This indicates significantly higher earnings in McKinney according to the 2024 ACS data.
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.