Moving from Brownsville, TX to McKinney, TX
Relocating 557 mi from Brownsville to McKinney is a 10h 12m drive through 1 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
557 mi Β· 10h 12m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 35E, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Allen, Plano, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 19.9% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $195,993 to $481,963 moving to McKinney.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Expect 9.5Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.9% β $48,675 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.
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
Is McKinney more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 19.9% higher than Brownsville (103.09 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McKinney, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 557 mi and the route typically takes 10h 12m via US 77 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 145.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 147.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 557 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· McKinney, TX.