McKinney TX vs Modesto CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Modesto
18.7%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 18.7% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 24.7% | 4.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 43.9% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.3% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 13.0% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 20.3% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 58.4% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.2% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 19.0% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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