#1 Best Place to Live in America
McKinney
Historic charm meets modern living
Who Lives Here?
The McKinney Native
Rooted & Growing
Picture the young professionals who met at a downtown McKinney wine bar. They love the historic square, farmer's markets, and that McKinney still feels like a real town - not just another suburb. One works in Plano, the other runs a boutique downtown.
Typical Income
$100K - $250K
Core Values
The Details
Population
200,000+
Median Home Price
$520K
Property Tax Rate
2.35%
YoY Appreciation
+7.2%
Avg Household Income
$125K
Walk Score
32
Lifestyle Vibe Check
Education
School District Deep Dive
McKinney ISD
Public School District
A
Overall Rating
District Highlights
Notable Public Schools
McKinney Boyd High School
AHigh School (9-12)
Strong academics
McKinney North High School
AHigh School (9-12)
Cockrill Middle School
AMiddle School (6-8)
Private School Options
McKinney Christian Academy
4.0/5K-12 Private
Local option
Prestonwood Christian
4.2/5K-12 Private
20 min drive
Food & Culture
The Dining & Market Scene
Asian & International Markets
H Mart (Carrollton)
Korean Grocery
99 Ranch Market (Plano)
Chinese Grocery
India Bazaar (Frisco)
Indian Grocery
Mitsuwa (Plano)
Japanese Grocery
Grocery & Everyday
Market Street
Premium Grocery
Tom Thumb
General Grocery
Kroger
General Grocery
Natural Grocers
Health Food
Dining Diversity
Variety Score
American/BBQ
8/10Hutchins BBQ, Downtown restaurants, Farm-to-table
Asian Cuisine
5/10Growing options, Better selection in Plano nearby
Mexican/Tex-Mex
7/10Gloria's, Local favorites, Authentic taquerias
Cultural Amenities
Commute & Connectivity
Getting Around
DFW Airport
35 mi
40-50 min drive
Downtown Dallas
35 mi
40-50 min drive
Legacy/Plano
12 mi
15-20 min drive
Major Highways
Public Transit
DART bus connections available. No direct rail, but US-75 provides reliable highway access to Plano/Richardson employment.
Local Lifestyle
Raven's Insider Guide
Raven's Picks
Hutchins BBQ
Texas BBQ
The real deal - arrive early!
Rick's Chophouse
Steakhouse
Downtown date night
Layered
Coffee & Bakery
Best croissants
Harvest at McKinney
Seasonal American
Weekend Vibes
- •Browse the Historic Downtown Square
- •Wine tasting at local wineries
- •Kayaking at Towne Lake
- •Heard Natural Science Museum
- •Farmers Market on Saturdays
Parks & Outdoors
- •Towne Lake Recreation Area
- •Erwin Park - hiking & mountain biking
- •Bonnie Wenk Park - trails & playground
- •Craig Ranch fitness trails
Annual Events
Insider Tip
"McKinney's downtown is the real deal - not manufactured charm. It's where locals actually hang out, not just tourists."
- Raven
Real Estate Intel
Market Snapshot
Price Ranges
Historic Homes
Downtown area
$350K - $700K
Single Family
$450K - $750K
Master-Planned
$550K - $900K
Luxury/Estate
$900K - $2M
Costs to Know
Typical HOA
$50 - $200/mo
MUD Tax Districts
Rare
Most McKinney neighborhoods don't have MUD taxes - a significant advantage.
Market Status
Warm Market
Active Builders
Investment Outlook
Best value in the Collin County corridor. Historic areas offer unique character, while Craig Ranch provides resort-style amenities. Strong appreciation without the premium of Frisco/Prosper.
Discover McKinney
From historic homes to master-planned communities - find your McKinney story.
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