Moving from Boise City, ID to McKinney, TX
It is 1581 mi and 27h 52m from Boise City to McKinney β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1581 mi Β· 27h 52m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 80, US 189 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Boise City and McKinney sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City β, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boise City | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | β |
Expect 11.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.8% β $81,308 β $120,273 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Idaho 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
- 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 (11.7Β°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 Boise City to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1581 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $81,308 in Boise City β a 47.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 4.8% higher than Boise City (103.09 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McKinney, TX from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 1581 mi and the route typically takes 27h 52m via US 287 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID Β· McKinney, TX.