Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 148,848 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 41.5% | 37.8% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 24.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
McKinney
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $71,843 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $29,291 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.4% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 18.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $487,346 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.3% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 64.2°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 35.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA