Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
McKinney, TX
🏆 McKinney leads 14 of 23 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
McKinney
Texas
14
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.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Rent averages $742/mo less ($998 vs $1,740)
Homes cost $170k less ($230,400 vs $400,400)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than McKinney
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails McKinney by $45,440/yr
McKinney, TX
Pros
Households earn $45,440 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Lincoln
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 52.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,740/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $400,400
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lincoln
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$170k less
$230,400 vs $400,400
McKinney
Median Income
$45,440
$113,286 vs $67,846/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
66% lower
117.3 vs 347.9 per 100k
McKinney
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 89.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $400,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,740⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $113,286 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 3.7% |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 31 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A+ (130) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MCKINNEY ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 56.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 42.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 2.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 196,160 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 64.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.0% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.0% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs McKinney's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 14 of 23 categories. Lincoln 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 Lincoln to McKinney or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $400,400 median home), income ($67,846 vs $113,286), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and McKinney, TX are about 526 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.