Cost of Living in McKinney, TX: What to Expect for California Transplants

If you’re relocating from California to McKinney, TX, the lower cost of living may feel like a breath of fresh air. But how much will you actually save—and where will those savings show up? This breakdown gives you a clear picture of what to expect when it comes to housing, taxes, utilities, and more.

How McKinney Compares to California

Category	McKinney, TX	Los Angeles, CA	San Jose, CA
Median Home Price	$475,000	$880,000+	$1,300,000+
State Income Tax	0%	Up to 13.3%	Up to 13.3%
Property Tax Rate	2.1%	0.76% (but higher home prices)	0.74%
Avg. Monthly Utilities	$150–$250	$250–$350	$300–$400
Gas Price (2025 avg)	$3.20/gal	$5.50/gal	$5.80/gal

Where You’ll Save the Most

• Housing: You can often purchase twice the square footage in McKinney for half the price

• Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, saving thousands annually

• Everyday expenses: Lower groceries, gas, insurance, and healthcare costs

What to Plan For

• Property taxes are higher in percentage but offset by much lower home prices

• Homes in McKinney often come with HOA fees ranging from $300–$1,200 annually

• Some areas in McKinney are master-planned communities with shared costs for amenities

Let a Local Expert Guide Your Relocation Budget

Nitin Gupta helps California buyers assess total cost of ownership, including hidden expenses like taxes, HOA fees, and commuting costs. As a CRS and GRI certified REALTOR®, he understands how to make your transition as smooth—and financially sound—as possible.

📞 Schedule a relocation consult: https://www.nitinguptadfw.com/contact🎓 See his designations: https://www.nitinguptadfw.com/dallas-realtor-designations

McKinney by the Numbers:

• Cost of living in McKinney is 35–40% lower than most major California metros

• Buyers moving from California can typically upgrade by 1–2 bedrooms for the same price

• Average McKinney homeownership savings vs. LA: $25,000–$40,000 annually

Final Thought

If you're making the leap from California to Texas, McKinney delivers more home, more value, and more freedom in your budget. Let a trusted relocation expert help you make the most of every dollar.

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Call us at 469-269-6541 for more information about McKinney real estate!

About us: McKinney New Construction Expert Real Estate Agent

As a Top Real Estate Professional in McKinney, I understand the challenges that arise when buying a new construction home. There are over 100 builders in the DFW area. I work with most of the new home builders in McKinney and understand how various builders operate. I am familiar with the options they offer, current incentives and I frequently visit the upcoming communities they are building. I guide my clients through all steps of the new home construction process and aggressively protect their interests in the transaction.

As a holder of top real estate industry certifications and designations like CRS, ABR & GRI, I can offer my clients experience as a Buyer's Agent and REALTOR®, top Industry Customer Service, in-depth, up-to-the-minute and comprehensive market knowledge; honesty, integrity, dedication, and professionalism in my business.

Whether you are a first time buyer in McKinney looking to buy a home in Fields or whether you are relocating to McKinney from California or moving your entire family from areas like San Francisco, Fremont, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, San Diego in California due to job transfer with your company, I can help you find a new construction home in Fields in McKinney. Our relocation team eases the transition - whether you are moving across town or across the globe. We will work with you to find an area that best suits your professional, family and lifestyle needs. We have all the tools you need to help your home search. Whether it is video previews of homes, extended work hours, digital signatures for documents or more, we can make this process as comfortable as possible no matter where you are located.

What is most important to you in your new construction home in Fields in McKinney? Send us an email at info@NitinGuptaDFW.com or give us a call at (469) 269-6541 to schedule a no obligation consultation. We’ll give you honest advice about Fields community that you can use to help make your home buying decision.