Plano, TX vs. McKinney, TX: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison: Plano vs McKinney. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Plano vs McKinney in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how Plano and McKinney compare for typical housing options:
| Housing Type | Plano | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $450,000 | $420,000 |
🏆 Winner: McKinney has slightly lower housing costs across the board.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills are a significant monthly expense. In Plano and McKinney, expect to pay:
- Electricity: $150-200/month, higher in summer for A/C
- Water/Sewer/Trash: $80-120/month
- Internet: $60-80/month
Both cities offer “free nights & weekends” electricity plans to help manage costs.
🏆 Winner: Utility costs are very similar in Plano and McKinney.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery prices are comparable between Plano and McKinney. Budget about $400/month per adult for groceries and household items. Eating out ranges from $10-15 for fast casual to $30+ per person at nicer restaurants.
🏆 Winner: Plano and McKinney tie for grocery and daily living costs.
4. Taxes and Fees
Plano has a slightly higher property tax rate of 1.94% vs McKinney’s 1.89%. For a $450K home, that’s a difference of about $225/year. In Plano, HOA fees often include landscaping and trash, while they may be separate in McKinney.
🏆 Winner: McKinney edges out Plano for lower property taxes.
5. Cost of Living in Plano vs McKinney
| Expense | Plano | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR mortgage*) | $2,700 | $2,500 |
| Utilities | $350 | $350 |
| Groceries & Household | $800 | $800 |
| Transportation | $500 | $500 |
| Taxes & Fees | $730 | $710 |
| Misc Expenses | $500 | $500 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $5,580 | $5,360 |
*Based on 10% down, 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.5% interest
6. Lifestyle Fit
While costs are similar, Plano and McKinney offer different lifestyles:
- Plano has more jobs and amenities but also more traffic and higher density
- McKinney feels more suburban with larger lots but longer commutes
Plano averages 1°F warmer than McKinney in summer. Both get hot!
7. FAQ
- Is Plano more affordable than McKinney? McKinney is slightly cheaper overall, mainly due to lower housing costs.
- Which city has lower rent? Rents are about 5-10% lower in McKinney vs Plano.
- Where is it cheaper to buy a home? McKinney homes cost about 5% less than comparable ones in Plano.
8. Conclusion
Plano and McKinney have very similar costs of living overall. Housing is a bit cheaper in McKinney while Plano offers more big-city amenities and shorter commutes. We recommend Plano for young professionals and McKinney for families wanting more space. Be sure to check out our other cost of living guides for Plano and sample household budgets to further compare.