Moving from McKinney, TX to Plano, TX
Moving from McKinney, TX to Plano, TX is a 14 mi drive, about 27 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
14 mi Β· 27 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SRT, TX 121 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Plano | 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 Plano 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 values in McKinney and Plano are within 5% of each other ($481,963 vs $498,989 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Plano (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Plano is 0.0% below McKinney ($120,273 β $108,649, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano 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 Plano 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Plano, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 14 mi and the route typically takes 27 min via SRT and TX 121. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Plano compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano 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.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 14 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 3.5% higher 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· Plano, TX.