Moving from McKinney, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from McKinney, TX to Austin, TX covers 228 mi and about 4h 7m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
228 mi Β· 4h 7m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin and McKinney are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 98.066); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.9% higher in Austin than McKinney as of 2026-03.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.3" |
Austin runs 5.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 70.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 4.9% below McKinney ($120,273 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin average 97Β°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
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 5.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.9% lower than McKinney (98.066 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 24.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 228 mi and the route typically takes 4h 7m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Austin, TX.