Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.4 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 81.8% | 37.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.0% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $71,843 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $29,291 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 18.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $487,346 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
McKinney
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
McKinney
18.3%
McKinney +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
McKinney
9.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | McKinney + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 40.0 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 35.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while mcKinney offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,346. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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