Head-to-Head · City Comparison
McKinney, TX
VS
Santa Rosa, CA
🏆 McKinney leads 17 of 23 categories
McKinney
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,286 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160 ✓ Larger
Santa Rosa
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604
Violent Crime Index
90
Population
178,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
McKinney, TX
Pros
Homes cost $261k less ($400,400 vs $661,700)
66% less violent crime than Santa Rosa
Households earn $20,682 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Rent averages $284/mo less ($1,740 vs $2,024)
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Median income trails McKinney by $20,682/yr
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Key Differences at a Glance
McKinney
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
McKinney
Median Income
$20,682
$113,286 vs $92,604/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
66% lower
117.3 vs 342.6 per 100k
McKinney
Median Home Value
$261k less
$400,400 vs $661,700
McKinney
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
12.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $400,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,740⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,024⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,286 ✓ Higher | $92,604 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.5% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 79 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 31 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 63 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (130) ✓ Better | B- (90) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 52.2% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.8% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MCKINNEY ISD | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.4°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.4" | 31.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 196,160 ✓ Larger | 178,221 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 27.5% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
McKinney's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
McKinney is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, McKinney leads 17 of 23 categories. McKinney wins 17 and Santa Rosa wins 6. 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 Santa Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($400,400 vs $661,700 median home), income ($113,286 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
McKinney, TX and Santa Rosa, CA are about 1,498 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.