Moving from McKinney, TX to Anaheim, CA
It is 1437 mi between McKinney and Anaheim β roughly 24h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1437 mi Β· 24h 49m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.2% 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 10.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $481,963 to $950,504 moving to Anaheim.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Anaheim (67.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Anaheim gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 10.2% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 β $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 97.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1437 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 Anaheim compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Anaheim more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 10.2% higher than McKinney (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Anaheim, CA from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 1437 mi and the route typically takes 24h 49m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Anaheim, CA.