McKinney TX vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
McKinney
37.8%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 37.8% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 24.7% | 6.0% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 12.5% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $648,603 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 56.3% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.7% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.2% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 18.5% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.6% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 66.8°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Riverside 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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