Texas Archives - Mighty Movers

McKinney, TX is an increasingly popular choice to settle down, start a business or raise a family. Voted the #1 Best Place to Live in America by Money in 2014, it’s hard to pass up any number of the idyllic and charming McKinney neighborhoods throughout the city. The city’s allure stems from a growing job scene, excellent schools and constant business development. At the same time, historic buildings and unique, welcoming developments make it difficult to even choose where to live in McKinney.

The low cost of living in McKinney is a bit of surprise with all of its economic opportunity. Especially compared to nearby Dallas, McKinney rent prices are a shocking 24.17% lower in town. Everything from restaurant prices to childcare is lower in McKinney than Dallas, making this an ideal choice for finding a work-life business at any stage in life.

Housing developments are the most popular living arrangement in McKinney, each with its own take on living and quite often, their own Lifestyle Directors. Packed with activities and community-building opportunities, the benefits of living in McKinney go far beyond a beautiful and thriving location. Explore our McKinney neighborhood guide as you consider moving to this exciting area.

Historic Downtown

If you’re looking for a McKinney neighborhood that puts you right in the center of the action, Downtown McKinney could be for you. Home to a mix of historic brick buildings and more modern apartment building developments, Downtown McKinney living means you can walk to any of the countless restaurants and festivals offered year round.

A newer luxury apartment option, Davis at the Square, for example, sits right in the center of town and offers affordable rent for all apartment sizes.

Whether you live in or come to visit downtown McKinney, it’s here that you’ll find farm-to-table restaurants like Harvest or the decadent Sugarbacon for a cocktail. Bring the kids to McKinney’s Sweet Spot for dessert and then catch a show at McKinney Performing Arts Center. You can even get to know a bit more about the area by stopping by the Collin County History Museum to get a feel for McKinney’s story.

The less-residential neighborhood of Downtown McKinney may not be as traditional a choice to live, but it makes a fine spot for those trying out the area or looking to explore for an afternoon.

Provence

One of the most unique things about McKinney, Texas, is their range of housing development styles and personalities. An example of these notable communities is Provence Estates, inspired by French culture and architecture. Located only a short drive from the center of town, Provence sits on the edge of a park and nature reserve, with options for bringing the kids for outdoor fun and exploration.

The community offers European-inspired town homes and condos on the higher end of McKinney’s price range. This quaint neighborhood of eighty homes, with more development on the way, features pristinely trimmed landscapes and tree-lined streets. With nearby schools, this development is ideal for families as well. The condos offer high-end, modern amenities while maintaining an old-school, French design.

Trinity Falls

Trinity Falls is another example of a popular McKinney neighborhood and organized living community. Perched right nearby the beautiful Trinity River, the development of homes and recreation centers encourages neighborhood collaboration and an active lifestyle. A pool, dog park, clubhouse, open-air pavilion and fireplace make this an excellent spot for raising a family with plenty of things to do and places to explore.

With over 1,700 acres of open space, Trinity Falls allows its community to soak in the natural wonders of McKinney. The development connected with 20 miles of hiking and biking trails as well. Annual community events include wine festivals, barbecues and holiday celebrations.

Adriatic Village

Another McKinney neighborhood that reflects on European living and style is Adriatic Village. This housing community looks like something right out of another time and place, with stone-stacked architecture and Mediterranean accents. The neighborhood even includes a historically inspired bell tower at the center of town. Plenty of recreational areas bring the community together, creating an energy of charm and warmth.

This area offers a bit more of an activity-filled lifestyle, with access to several locally run business as well as pockets that are purely residential. These hand-picked businesses serve everyone in the area, including a wine shop, multiple restaurants and clothing stores.

Auburn Hills

This lush and balance suburban neighborhood of McKinney is home to many active professionals. With easy access to major highways, Auburn Hills is a go-to choice for commuting to Dallas and other major areas nearby. The community offers access to a local lake, hiking trails and a pool, making it an excellent McKinney neighborhood for families. It is also one of the safest neighborhoods in McKinney, along with any area northwest of route 308.

Auburn Hills is also across the street from Gray Branch Community Park, offering lacrosse and soccer field, performance centers and 212 acres of green space. Homes in Auburn Hills average around $370k, a fine balance with such access to jobs near McKinney. Real estate in the area also boasts energy-efficiency in their homes, lowering the overall cost of living and carbon footprint of each resident.

Hardin Lake

This newer neighborhood and development sits right on the edge of Hardin Lake, featuring terraced gardens and flowing hills. A creek surrounds the neighborhood, meaning that you have opportunities for outdoor exploration on all sides. The range in elevation means that many homes have lovely views of the surrounding areas.

The neighborhood features easy access to highly rated local schools, major highways and historic downtown.

Mallard Lakes

If you’re looking for large plots of land and expansive homes, check out the Mallard Lakes neighborhood of McKinney. Compared to the rest of the country, these large homes are still within reasonable prices while remaining accessible to routes 380 and 75 for an easy commute. Mallard Lakes is also only a short, 10-minute drive to historic downtown McKinney.

If you’re thinking of raising children in Mallard Lakes, one of the best elementary schools sits right across from the development, creating an atmosphere of easy living for all members of the family. As stated in its name, several lakes spot the landscape of the neighborhood, providing some beautiful views from elevated properties.

It is hard to ignore the impressive reviews and accolades that praise living in McKinney, Texas. A mix of unique neighborhoods and modern housing developments mean that there is something for everyone. Families will love the strong school systems and things to do with kids in McKinney while young professionals flock to the area for accessibility to Dallas. No matter what, the city’s dedication to community makes McKinney a fine balance between city and suburb.

Erik Guinaugh

Finding the ideal city to call home can be a challenge. It requires a balance of affordability, a welcoming sense of community and the choice to cultivate your career. Between Dallas’ desirable cost of living and a thriving business scene, families and single professionals find a permanent home in the famous Texan city each year. Named as one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, Dallas’ affordable housing for first-time buyers and considerably low rent bring new resident of all ages.

The average cost of living in Dallas is an impressive 32% lower than New York City, but still welcomes a thriving economy, even named the 6th best city for business and careers by Forbes. So how much does it cost to live in Dallas from day to day? Here we’ll explore average rents in Dallas, grocery bills, travel costs and all the little details in between. If you’re considering moving to Dallas, check out the full picture before deciding what’s right for you.

Dallas Rent Prices

If you’re starting your rental search in the area, Dallas rent prices are currently remaining quite steady. According to Rent Jungle, rent prices in Dallas were at an average of $1,237 a month as of July 2018, very close to where its been in the past several years, but only with a slight increase. One bedrooms are around $1,050 a month, making this a great city for young couples and individuals to explore the area for the first time.

Rental prices in Dallas vary significantly by neighborhood, with chic, pricier options in the Arts District, Center City, Oak Lawn, Arts District, and the Near East neighborhoods. Many of these easily accessible neighborhoods cut down on commuting time and sit in the heart of the cultural city hub.

Average Cost of Groceries in Dallas

Grocery bills—one of the largest players in our monthly budgets—often speak to the cost of living in an area. The average cost of groceries per month, according to Numbeo is around $242 a person. This is 36% lower than New York City. As a point of reference, the average cost of a gallon of milk in Dallas is about $2.42 where it’s nearly $4.40 in NYC. Cutting your monthly food cost adds up pretty quickly. No matter which Dallas neighborhood you choose, the city has a strong range of discount grocery stores like Aldi and Trader Joe’s.

Your Dallas Utility Bill

The typical average utility bill—which includes water, electricity, heating and garbage is comparable to a large-city price tag, just under $140 a month for a 195-square foot apartment. Since internet is a given these days, you’ll also want to include the average cost of internet in Dallas, which is around $60 a month.

On the other hand, the average water bill in Dallas has reports of significantly rising over the past several years. In early 2018, bills were still reported at an average of under $100 a month, but due to its dry climate, this is considered a high cost compared to other cities in the US.

Average Dallas Salary

Even with a relatively lower cost of living compared to other highly populated cities, how does this balance out with the average household income in Dallas? At just under $68,000 a year, the average pay in Dallas is quite complementary to comfortable living.

As a magnet city for technology and financial companies, the selection of high-paying positions in the city raises the average income. Dallas is also a hub for industrial jobs, and with the busy Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, notes Forbes, makes this city a major stopping point for company gatherings and conferences. A large selection of universities also bring money and culture to the area, several of which bring college football fans to the area which boosts the city’s economy during the Cotton Bowl each year.

Buying a Home in Dallas

In 2015, NerdWallet found that the Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the most popular spots for first-time home buyers in 2015. And though prices have risen a large 12.7% in the past year according to Zillow, the market in Dallas is still considered quite manageable. The average home price in Dallas is still around $385,000. Zillow predicts that home prices in Dallas will rise nearly another 12% by fall of 2019.

As was the case with renting a home in Dallas, new home buyers, or those looking for a lower price point, can explore different neighborhoods. The hip neighborhood of Oak Lawn, for example, has a median home price of $304,000. Spots like Old East Dallas have homes in the mid-$200,000s with plenty of access to restaurants and parks for young residents and families looking for a city feel.

If you’re comparing different Texan cities, median Dallas home prices are comparable to the popular Austin and Houston home market, but with greater access to career opportunities.

Living Expenses in Dallas

Once you’ve determined all your necessary bills in Dallas, how much does it cost to enjoy everything the city has to offer? When calculating your monthly budget, you’ll want to make sure your expenses balance with a comfortable salary for living in Dallas. The average monthly public transportation pass in Dallas, for example, is about $80. The DART system—Dallas Area Rapid Transit—is growing in popularity as it provides greater access to different areas of the city.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of a gallon of gas if $2.60, which is lower than other large city prices but can be high if you’re commuting into work from one of the surrounding suburbs.

Looking to enjoy the many pockets of culture and food in Downtown Dallas? Assume that a three-course meal at a standard restaurant for you and a friend will only cost about $50. This same meal in New York City is around $80, showing the money you save in this Texan town. Grab a pint of beer for just over $4 or a fancy cappuccino for just about the same price.

Over thirty percent of the Dallas population are children under 18, pointing to the popularity of family life in the city. When raising a family here, you’ll also enjoy the comparatively low childcare costs for a large metropolitan area. Average monthly preschool is $862 a month, which is significantly lower than both Chicago and New York City.

Across the board, the low cost of living in Dallas is one of the many benefits of moving to the area compared to other cities of this size. With a high promise of job growth—one of the highest in the country next to Atlanta—there’s no question that opportunity in the next decade will make the city move a worthwhile one. The draw of the popular Texas State Fair, Cowboys football and the incredibly popular restaurant and arts scenes make moving to Dallas an immersive experience.

Our dedicated team at Mighty Movers welcomes new resident from across the country or when transferring to a new Dallas neighborhood. Contact us to begin the conversation about your Dallas move. We can walk you through your upcoming transition, guiding you along the way to make yourself at home in the Dallas community.