Head-to-Head · City Comparison
McKinney, TX
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 McKinney leads 19 of 23 categories
McKinney
Texas
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,286 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160
Newark
New Jersey
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
McKinney, TX
Pros
Households earn $66,826 more per year on average
80% less violent crime than Newark
Stronger job market — unemployment is 7.0 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 52.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,740/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $400,400
Newark, NJ
Pros
Rent averages $467/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,740)
Homes cost $88k less ($312,300 vs $400,400)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails McKinney by $66,826/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.7% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
McKinney
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
McKinney
Median Income
$66,826
$113,286 vs $46,460/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
80% lower
117.3 vs 581.2 per 100k
McKinney
Unemployment
7.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 10.7% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 86.8°F
Newark
Median Home Value
$88k less
$312,300 vs $400,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $400,400⚠ High | $312,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,740⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,286 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 18.5% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 31 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (130) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 52.2% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 94.8% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MCKINNEY ISD | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.4°F ✓ Warmer | 39.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.4" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 196,160 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 27.5% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 10.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
McKinney's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
McKinney is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 19 of 23 categories. McKinney wins 19 and Newark wins 4. 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 McKinney to Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($400,400 vs $312,300 median home), income ($113,286 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
McKinney, TX and Newark, NJ are about 1,341 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.