Moving from Fayetteville, NC to McKinney, TX
It is 1185 mi between Fayetteville and McKinney β roughly 21h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1185 mi Β· 21h 36m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.1% above Fayetteville β 91.978 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fayetteville | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 12.1% more than Fayetteville at the median β $56,395 β $120,273 on ACS 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 North Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- 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 Fayetteville to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1185 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $225,534 in Fayetteville β a 113.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $56,395 in Fayetteville β a 113.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is McKinney, TX from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 1185 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 12.1% higher than Fayetteville (103.09 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC Β· McKinney, TX.