Moving from McKinney, TX to Houston, TX
The 271 mi from McKinney to Houston translate to about 4h 52m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
271 mi Β· 4h 52m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75, TX 121 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston 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 Houston is 4.3% below McKinney β $481,963 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 70.6Β°F.
Houston 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, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.3% between McKinney and Houston (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Houston, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 271 mi and the route typically takes 4h 52m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 47.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than McKinney (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 271 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 Houston compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 45.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Houston, TX.