Collin County · North DFW
Living in McKinney, Texas
Everything relocating families need to know — historic downtown charm, top-rated schools, master-planned neighborhoods, and what life is really like here.
"McKinney is the suburb I recommend when families want something that feels genuinely different — a real historic downtown you can actually walk to, master-planned neighborhoods with resort amenities, and one of the strongest school districts in Collin County. You get a lot here at a price that still makes sense."
Kristen Carpentier is a licensed Texas Realtor® and DFW family relocation specialist, brokered by eXp Realty. She's a mom of four and has helped hundreds of families — mostly relocating from California, New York, and Illinois — find their right suburb and the right school district before ever stepping foot in a home.
(602) 405-4115 · Kristen@whymovetodallas.com · TREC #760457
U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2023
McKinney, Texas — Full Suburb Tour
Before you visit, watch this. I walk you through the neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and the things most guides leave out.
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Where Is McKinney? Commutes & Getting Around
McKinney sits about 35 miles north of Downtown Dallas and roughly 60 miles northeast of Fort Worth, in Collin County. The city straddles US-75 (Central Expressway) and SH-121 — two of North DFW's most-traveled corridors — putting it within 20–30 minutes of Frisco, Allen, and Plano's major corporate campuses.
For families commuting to Plano's Legacy West (Toyota, JPMorgan), the Frisco/The Star area (T-Mobile, Baylor Scott & White), or the Allen/Richardson tech corridor (Charles Schwab, Cisco, State Farm), McKinney sits at a genuine sweet spot: lower prices than Frisco without sacrificing corridor access.
Commute Times from Central McKinney
McKinney ISD — Schools in McKinney
McKinney ISD holds a TEA A rating and a Niche Overall A grade — one of the stronger large-district ISDs in Collin County. The district is known for rigorous academics, a high college-readiness rate, and a strong fine arts program across four comprehensive high schools. Niche grades it A+ for both college prep and families.
Top Campuses in McKinney ISD
| Campus | Level | GreatSchools |
|---|---|---|
| McKinney Boyd High School | 9–12 | 8/10 |
| McKinney High School | 9–12 | 7/10 |
| McKinney North High School | 9–12 | 7/10 |
| Faubion Middle School | 6–8 | 8/10 |
| Slaughter Elementary | K–5 | 9/10 |
| Isbell Elementary | K–5 | 8/10 |
Best Neighborhoods in McKinney for Families
McKinney has one of the most diverse neighborhood lineups in North DFW — from massive resort-style master-planned communities to a genuinely walkable craftsman village to a European-inspired lakeside development that looks nothing like anything else in the metro. There's a neighborhood personality for almost every budget and family style.
Stonebridge Ranch
One of the largest master-planned communities in DFW, Stonebridge Ranch spans thousands of acres with multiple HOA amenity centers, a beach and tennis club, lakes, and miles of trails. It's the go-to for families wanting a fully built-out community with immediate infrastructure.
Tucker Hill
Tucker Hill is a craftsman-style village community with a walkable town center featuring shops, restaurants, and a community pool — a genuine rarity in North DFW. Front porches, tree-lined streets, and architectural variety make it one of the most community-oriented neighborhoods in McKinney.
Craig Ranch
Craig Ranch wraps around the TPC Craig Ranch — host to the AT&T Byron Nelson PGA event — offering amenity-rich HOA living at a price often $50–100K below comparable Frisco neighborhoods. Multiple pools, sports courts, and trail systems give families plenty to do without leaving.
Adriatica Village
There is nothing else like Adriatica in DFW — a Mediterranean-inspired village centered on Lake Adriatica with cobblestone streets, a clocktower, lakeside dining, and European-style architecture. Boutique, distinctive, and perfect for buyers who want a home that genuinely looks different.
McKinney vs. Where You're Coming From
For families relocating from California, New York, or Illinois, McKinney typically delivers the same quality suburban life at 35–50% less cost — and that gap widens significantly once you factor in Texas's zero state income tax.
| Category | San Francisco Bay Area | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | ~$1.3M | ~$496K |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%+ (up to 13.3%) | $0 — No state income tax |
| Property Tax Rate | ~1.1–1.2% (Prop 13 capped) | ~1.80% combined |
| Avg. Tax Burden | ~13–16% of income | ~8–10% of income |
| School Quality | Highly variable by zip | McKinney ISD A / TEA A |
| Avg. Commute | 45–90+ min | 25–50 min to major hubs |
Property Tax Breakdown — McKinney (Collin County)
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | On $496K Home |
|---|---|---|
| McKinney ISD | ~$0.93 | ~$4,613/yr |
| City of McKinney | ~$0.49 | ~$2,430/yr |
| Collin County | ~$0.17 | ~$843/yr |
| Collin College District | ~$0.08 | ~$397/yr |
| Base Total | ~$1.67/$100 | ~$8,283/yr |
| + MUD/PID (if applicable) | Varies by community | Can add $1,000–$2,500/yr |
Rates are 2024 certified. Always confirm for a specific address. Source: Texas Comptroller.
Major Employers Near McKinney
McKinney has a growing in-city employment base anchored by healthcare, defense, and education — but most residents commute to the Plano/Frisco/Allen corridor, which houses some of the largest corporate campuses in Texas. The US-75 spine makes McKinney genuinely competitive for corridor workers.
In / Near McKinney
| Employer | Industry |
|---|---|
| Collin College | Higher Education (3,000+ employees) |
| Texas Health Presbyterian McKinney | Healthcare |
| Medical City McKinney | Healthcare |
| Raytheon Intelligence & Space | Defense / Aerospace |
| HEB Distribution | Grocery / Logistics |
| City of McKinney | Municipal Government |
Nearby Corridors (20–40 min)
| Employer | Industry |
|---|---|
| Toyota North America HQ | Automotive (9,000+) — Plano |
| JPMorgan Chase | Financial Services — Plano |
| T-Mobile US HQ | Telecom — Frisco |
| Charles Schwab | Financial Services — Westlake/Richardson |
| State Farm | Insurance — Richardson |
| Cisco Systems | Technology — Richardson |
What Life Actually Looks Like in McKinney
Youth Sports & ISD Athletics
McKinney ISD fields highly competitive UIL programs across all four high schools. Youth rec leagues — soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer — are extensive through McKinney Parks & Recreation. Friday nights at Gabe Nesbitt are a genuine community event.
Historic Downtown McKinney
Downtown McKinney is one of the few genuinely walkable, historic town squares in North DFW — lined with locally owned restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and the Performing Arts Center. Weekend farmers market runs spring through fall. It's a real destination, not a manufactured one.
Towne Lake & Outdoor Recreation
Towne Lake at Stonebridge Ranch offers kayaking, fishing, and waterfront walking trails — a rare outdoor amenity for a North DFW suburb. Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary adds 289 acres of native habitat and trail hiking for nature-focused families.
Arts, Culture & Events
McKinney Performing Arts Center stages community theater and concerts year-round. The annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas draws tens of thousands downtown. Adriatica's lakeside restaurants and Tucker Hill's village center give the city a genuine events calendar that feels local, not chain-driven.
Adriatica — One-of-a-Kind in DFW
Adriatica Village is McKinney's most distinctive asset — a Mediterranean-inspired lakeside community that genuinely looks and feels unlike anything else in the metro. It brings a European walkability flavor and a destination dining scene to what would otherwise be just another North Texas suburb.
Easy to Connect
McKinney's strong HOA culture, active master-planned communities, and vibrant historic downtown create natural gathering points for new residents. Relocating families consistently report meeting neighbors quickly through community pools, youth sports, and downtown events.
Recreation, Walkability & City Amenities
McKinney is car-dependent for most daily errands — there is no DART rail or meaningful transit serving the city. A personal vehicle is essential. That said, McKinney compensates with an unusually strong trail and parks network for its size, plus the rare amenity of a genuine outdoor waterfront at Towne Lake and Heard Natural Science Museum.
Walkability & Transportation Scores
Scores reflect the city's most walkable core and vary significantly by address. Source: Walk Score® 
Parks, Trails & Green Space
McKinney maintains over 70 parks and green spaces totaling more than 2,000 acres, with an extensive multi-use trail network woven through its master-planned communities. Stonebridge Ranch's trail system alone covers several miles connecting neighborhoods, parks, and the waterfront.
Towne Lake at Stonebridge Ranch
A 72-acre lake with a waterfront walking trail, kayak launch, fishing access, and a beach club — the centerpiece outdoor amenity of Stonebridge Ranch and a genuine rarity for a North DFW suburb.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
289 acres of native North Texas habitat with 5+ miles of nature trails, wildflower meadows, and live animal exhibits. One of the best family outdoor destinations in Collin County and a rare urban nature preserve.
Erwin Park
Over 200 acres with 10+ miles of mountain biking and hiking trails — one of the best purpose-built trail systems in the DFW metro. Heavily used by local MTB riders and trail running communities.
Gabe Nesbitt Community Park
McKinney's premier active-use park with baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, a splash pad, playground equipment, and walking trails. Hosts McKinney ISD sports and community leagues year-round.
Old Settlers Park
A large multi-use park with tennis courts, picnic pavilions, walking paths, and open green space. A popular spot for casual family recreation and weekend outdoor gatherings.
Russell Creek Park
A neighborhood-scale park with a creek corridor, walking trail, playground, and open green space — representative of the distributed park network woven through McKinney's residential neighborhoods.
City Recreation Centers & Facilities
| Facility | What's Inside |
|---|---|
| McKinney Community Center | Event space, meeting rooms, fitness programs, senior center |
| Apex Centre | Aquatics center, fitness facility, gymnasium, group fitness classes |
| McKinney Public Library | Books, digital resources, children's programming, maker space, study rooms |
| TPC Craig Ranch | PGA Tour-quality golf, clubhouse, practice facilities |
Youth Sports & Organized Recreation
McKinney offers one of the deeper youth sports ecosystems in Collin County — between McKinney Parks & Recreation leagues, ISD athletics, YMCA programs, and the numerous club/select leagues operating out of Craig Ranch and Stonebridge Ranch, families have options at every level of competition and commitment.
Is McKinney Safe?
McKinney is considered one of the safer large cities in North Texas. The violent crime rate runs well below the national average of approximately 4.0 per 1,000 residents, and property crime — while present at scale given the city's size — is lower than comparable Texas metros. Niche grades McKinney's crime and safety at A-. The McKinney Police Department is one of the larger municipal departments in Collin County with active community policing programs.
Violent Crime Rate
~1.2 per 1,000 residents — well below the U.S. average of ~4.0/1,000. McKinney's size means absolute numbers are higher than smaller suburbs, but the rate remains favorable.
Property Crime
~15 per 1,000 residents — below state and national averages. Auto theft is the most common property crime; standard precautions (locked vehicles, garage parking) are sufficient.
McKinney Police Dept
One of the larger municipal departments in Collin County, with neighborhood watch programs, school resource officers in all McKinney ISD campuses, and active community engagement initiatives.
McKinney Real Estate Market — What to Expect
Median Sale Price
~$496K
12-month rolling avg · single-family
Days on Market
~35 days
12-month rolling avg · median
Months Supply
~3.9 mo.
Balanced market · 12-month calculation
Closed Sales
3,462
12-month total · single-family
Source: NTREIS via 10K Research · All figures are 12-month rolling periods · Updated May 2025
McKinney is in a balanced market with a months supply hovering near 3.9 — conditions have normalized from the 2021–2022 seller's market frenzy. Buyers have more negotiating room than in Frisco or Prosper, and the city's large transaction volume (3,462 SFR closings in 12 months) means active inventory across all price points. Both resale homes and new construction from builders like Toll Brothers, Highland Homes, and David Weekley are active in Craig Ranch, Stonebridge Ranch expansion areas, and newer northern neighborhoods.
Search Current McKinney Listings →
Condo & Townhome Market
12-month rolling · – · Source: NTREIS via 10K Research
Median Sale Price
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Condo / Townhome
Days on Market
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Median · 12-month
Months Supply
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Closed Sales
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12-month total
Living in McKinney — Pros & Cons
✓ What Families Love
- Historic Downtown McKinney — one of the most genuine walkable town squares in North DFW
- Strong McKinney ISD with TEA A rating and A+ college prep grade
- Diverse neighborhood options: Stonebridge Ranch, Tucker Hill, Craig Ranch, Adriatica — something for every personality
- Lower median price than Frisco and Prosper with comparable school quality
- Adriatica Village — architecturally unique, nothing else like it in the metro
- Deep trail and parks network including rare waterfront access at Towne Lake
— What to Know
- Car-dependent — no DART rail or commuter transit to Dallas
- US-75 congestion is real and predictable during morning and evening rush
- Rapid growth means active construction in several neighborhoods
- Limited walkable nightlife outside Historic Downtown core
- Distance from Fort Worth (55–70 min) makes it a tough choice for west-side commuters
How McKinney Compares to Nearby Suburbs
Every family weighs the same factors differently. Here is how McKinney stacks up against nearby options on the metrics that matter most for relocating families.
Scores computed from Niche, NTREIS, WalkScore, and Census ACS · Updated 2026 · Compare all DFW suburbs →
McKinney, Texas — FAQ for Relocating Families
The top family neighborhoods in McKinney are Stonebridge Ranch ($450K–$700K, master-planned with lakes and trails), Tucker Hill ($550K–$850K, craftsman village with walkable town center), Craig Ranch ($400K–$650K, TPC golf community with resort amenities), and Adriatica Village ($500K–$900K, Mediterranean-inspired lakeside community unlike anything else in DFW). All four are within McKinney ISD boundaries, though feeder school assignments vary by address.
McKinney ISD holds a TEA A accountability rating and a Niche Overall A grade. Niche grades the district A+ for both college prep and families. The district operates four comprehensive high schools (McKinney, McKinney Boyd, McKinney North, and McKinney High School East). Top campuses include McKinney Boyd (8/10 GreatSchools), Faubion Middle (8/10), and Slaughter Elementary (9/10). Always verify the specific feeder pattern for your address at mckinneyisd.net.
McKinney offers a favorable cost of living compared to California, New York, and Illinois. The median SFR home price is approximately $496K. The combined property tax rate is roughly $1.67–$1.80/$100 assessed value (McKinney ISD ~$0.93, City ~$0.49, Collin County ~$0.17, Collin College ~$0.08). Texas has no state income tax, which saves most families $10,000–$30,000 per year compared to California. The overall tax burden is approximately 8–10% of household income.
McKinney is approximately 35 miles north of Downtown Dallas, with a typical drive time of 35–50 minutes via US-75 South. Rush hour (7–9 AM and 4:30–7 PM) extends that to 50+ minutes. There is no DART rail serving McKinney — a personal vehicle is required for the commute. DFW International Airport is approximately 32 miles away via SH-121 West (35–45 min).
Yes — McKinney has a violent crime rate of approximately 1.2 per 1,000 residents, well below the U.S. average of ~4.0/1,000. Property crime runs around 15 per 1,000, below state and national averages. Niche grades McKinney's safety A-. McKinney Police Department has school resource officers in all McKinney ISD campuses and active community policing programs. Master-planned communities like Stonebridge Ranch and Craig Ranch are particularly safe with HOA-managed environments.
The 12-month rolling median SFR sale price in McKinney is approximately $496K (NTREIS data). Prices range from ~$380K for entry-level resale to $900K+ for larger homes in Adriatica Village or premium Stonebridge Ranch sections. McKinney is typically priced $50–100K below comparable Frisco neighborhoods. The market is currently balanced (months supply ~3.9), giving buyers more negotiating room than in recent years.
Top family activities in McKinney include exploring Historic Downtown McKinney (shops, dining, farmers market, Performing Arts Center), hiking and wildlife viewing at Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary (289 acres), mountain biking at Erwin Park (200+ acres, 10+ miles of trails), kayaking and waterfront walks at Towne Lake, Friday night McKinney ISD football games, and the annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas festival downtown. The Apex Centre aquatics facility and extensive HOA pools serve families throughout the year.
McKinney to Plano/Legacy West (Toyota, JPMorgan) is approximately 22 miles via US-75 South — about 25–35 minutes without traffic, 40–50 during rush hour. McKinney to Downtown Dallas is approximately 35 miles via US-75 South — 35–50 minutes typical, longer during peak rush. There is no DART rail from McKinney. The Allen/Richardson corridor (Charles Schwab, Cisco, State Farm) is 15–25 minutes south on US-75.
Yes — McKinney consistently ranks among the best cities in Texas for families. Niche grades McKinney A+ for families, and the combination of strong McKinney ISD schools, a genuine historic town square, diverse master-planned neighborhood options, and an extensive parks network makes it a top choice for relocating families. The city's size means more amenities and variety than smaller suburbs, while still feeling community-oriented compared to larger urban areas.
McKinney's biggest differentiator is its authentic historic downtown — a walkable town square with locally owned shops and restaurants that Frisco and Allen don't have. McKinney also offers more neighborhood personality variety (Adriatica's European architecture, Tucker Hill's craftsman village, Stonebridge Ranch's resort scale) at a price point generally $50–100K below Frisco. Frisco edges out McKinney on school ratings and newer infrastructure; Allen sits between the two in price and falls on a more convenient US-75 corridor. McKinney is the right choice for families who value community character and price over having the newest everything.
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Email Kristen (602) 405-411515950 Dallas Pkwy #400, Dallas, TX 75248 · Licensed in Texas Only
Information on this page is provided for educational purposes and is believed to be accurate as of May 2026. School district ratings, property tax rates, crime statistics, home prices, employer information, and community details change over time. Always verify ISD zoning by specific property address before making real estate decisions. Tax rates: Texas Comptroller. TEA ratings: txschools.gov. Niche grades: niche.com. GreatSchools: greatschools.org.