Arlington TX vs McKinney TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
McKinney
21.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 148,848 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 21.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 37.8% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.0% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
McKinney
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $71,843 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $29,291 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $487,346 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
McKinney
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
McKinney
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.9% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 64.2°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 40.0 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 35.6 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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