Moving from McKinney, TX to Denton, TX
The drive from McKinney to Denton covers 30 mi in about 48 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi Β· 48 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 380, US 377 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Denton and McKinney is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Denton is 0.0% below McKinney β $481,963 vs $354,135 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 38.4" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Denton (65.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between McKinney and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 Denton average 96Β°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 does the job market in Denton compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 38.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denton, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via US 380 and US 377. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 26.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Denton, TX.