Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
McKinney, TX
🏆 McKinney leads 16 of 23 categories
Detroit
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
McKinney
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,286 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $334k less ($66,700 vs $400,400)
Rent averages $751/mo less ($989 vs $1,740)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than McKinney
Cons
Median income trails McKinney by $75,525/yr
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 3.7%)
McKinney, TX
Pros
Households earn $75,525 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 11.0 pts lower (3.7%)
93% less violent crime than Detroit
More college-educated — 52.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $400,400
Higher rents — median is $1,740/mo
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Detroit
Key Differences at a Glance
Detroit
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Detroit
Median Home Value
$334k less
$66,700 vs $400,400
McKinney
Median Income
$75,525
$113,286 vs $37,761/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
93% lower
117.3 vs 1781.3 per 100k
McKinney
Unemployment
11.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 14.7% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
10.1°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $400,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 ✓ Lower | $1,740⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $113,286 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 31 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | A+ (130) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | MCKINNEY ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 56.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" ✓ Drier | 42.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 2.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 196,160 |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 64.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.4% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs McKinney's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Detroit is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 16 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 7 and McKinney wins 16. 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 Detroit to McKinney or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $400,400 median home), income ($37,761 vs $113,286), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and McKinney, TX are about 973 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.