Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carlsbad, CA
VS
McKinney, TX
🏆 McKinney leads 14 of 23 categories
Carlsbad
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$134,139 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
114,745
McKinney
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,286
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $20,853 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 94°F
More college-educated — 59.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,070,500
Higher rents — median is $2,477/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.7%)
McKinney, TX
Pros
Homes cost $670k less ($400,400 vs $1,070,500)
41% less violent crime than Carlsbad
Rent averages $737/mo less ($1,740 vs $2,477)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Carlsbad
Cons
Median income trails Carlsbad by $20,853/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Carlsbad
Median Income
$20,853
$134,139 vs $113,286/yr
McKinney
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
McKinney
Violent Crime
41% lower
117.3 vs 199.1 per 100k
McKinney
Median Home Value
$670k less
$400,400 vs $1,070,500
McKinney
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.0% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
20.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 74.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,070,500⚠ High | $400,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,477⚠ High | $1,740⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $134,139 ✓ Higher | $113,286 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 24.8% ✓ Higher | 18.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 60 | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 31 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A+ (130) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.5% ✓ Higher | 52.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.1% ✓ Higher | 94.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carlsbad Unified | MCKINNEY ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer | 56.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.2°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 42.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,745 | 196,160 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 64.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.8% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carlsbad's cost of living index is 111.5 vs McKinney's 103.3 (US average = 100).
McKinney is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 14 of 23 categories. Carlsbad wins 9 and McKinney wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carlsbad to McKinney or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,070,500 vs $400,400 median home), income ($134,139 vs $113,286), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carlsbad, CA and McKinney, TX are about 1,191 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.