Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 57.6% | 37.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 24.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $29,291 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 18.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $487,346 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
McKinney
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
McKinney
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
McKinney
9.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 64.2°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 35.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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