McKinney TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Tempe
13.9%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 13.9% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 24.7% | 7.8% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 23.1% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.7% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 16.2% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 41.6% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Tempe
18.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 16.6% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 71.3°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
McKinney, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs McKinney, TXChicago, IL vs McKinney, TXHouston, TX vs McKinney, TXMcKinney, TX vs Phoenix, AZMcKinney, TX vs Philadelphia, PA