McKinney TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Salem
12.2%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 12.2% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 24.7% | 1.6% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 23.4% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 14.7% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 55.7% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
Salem
3001
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 41.4% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.7% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 18.8% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.6% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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