McKinney TX vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
McKinney
37.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
McKinney
24.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 24.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $527,542 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 37.5% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 18.6% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 28.6% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.4% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,346. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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