McKinney TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Tucson
13.7%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.6 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 13.7% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 24.7% | 5.0% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 42.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $54,546 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 18.8% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 51.7% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 18.3% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 69.8°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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