While big cities like McKinney offer culture, cuisine, and charisma, they also deliver terrible traffic, towering expenses, and a taxing quality of life.
With that in mind, we wanted to uncover the best suburbs around McKinney. These burbs have all of the benefits of being near McKinney without actually having to be in the city.
Of course, not all suburbs of McKinney are created equally, which is precisely why we set out to find the best ones. Using Saturday Night Science, we delve into the factors that matter most, from commutes and housing costs to community vibes, to help you uncover the perfect suburban spots in the Greater McKinney area.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 best suburbs to live around McKinney for 2024:
What’s the best suburb of McKinney? University Park ranks as the best suburb of McKinney for 2024 based on the most recent Census and FBI data. If you happen to be a resident of University Park, you’re probably not too surprised to find it on the top our list.
We’ll tell you what makes each of these 10 McKinney ‘burbs better than the rest–but first, a bit about our methodology.
Feel free to check out some more reading about Texas:
The 10 Best McKinney Suburbs To Live For 2024
/10
Population: 25,179
Median Income: $250,001
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Poverty Rate: 4.8%
More on University Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
University Park is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the McKinney area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome University Park.”
Everyone here is rich; families average $250,001 a year, which is the highest in the McKinney region. And only 4.14% are out of work. Homes average more than $2,037,260 each.
/10
Population: 42,513
Median Income: $143,817
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Poverty Rate: 2.6%
More on Coppell: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Coppell is the second best ‘burb we looked at near McKinney for 2024.
It ranks 15th for incomes in the area and only 4.5% of residents lack insurance, good for 10th best.
/10
Population: 19,267
Median Income: $166,429
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
Poverty Rate: 2.0%
More on Highland: Data | Real Estate
Here in Highland, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the McKinney metro area.
The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.
But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in Highland.
/10
Population: 8,840
Median Income: $249,923
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Poverty Rate: 5.8%
More on Highland Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Highland Park ranks as the 4th best suburb of McKinney for 2024.
You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Highland Park and the schools are some of the best around.
/10
Population: 7,746
Median Income: $205,288
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
Poverty Rate: 1.1%
More on Lucas: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Coming in as the fifth best is Lucas.
Lucas gets kudos for having the 4th most expensive homes in the McKinney area, where houses sell for an average of $1,003,546. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
/10
Double Oak is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.
Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 2.68%.
According to online reports, Double Oak is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the McKinney area, meaning you need to get in soon.
/10
Population: 202,075
Median Income: $144,567
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Poverty Rate: 3.1%
More on Frisco: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Frisco.
Frisco schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.
And, it’s only 9.4 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
I love Frisco, specifically Frisco Square, with its cozy vibe. It’s a small area, but it has great restaurants, a library, movie theater, and senior center to keep it alive. In the winter, the whole place is alive with lights that create a very picturesque scene.
The people and restaurants stand out. The people are nice wherever you go, and there is a diversity of delicious restaurants, whether you’re looking for casual or formal dining.
/10
Population: 9,771
Median Income: $211,522
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
Poverty Rate: 2.3%
More on Heath: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Heath is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.
A solid 3.32% of people lack insurance, good for 6th in the area.
/10
Population: 76,630
Median Income: $154,471
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Poverty Rate: 4.3%
More on Flower Mound: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Is ‘Everything Better In Flower Mound?’
Almost.
It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.
/10
Population: 8,418
Median Income: $98,454
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
Poverty Rate: 6.7%
More on Providence: Data | Real Estate
And rounding out the top ten for 2024 is Providence.
This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Suburbs Around McKinney for 2024
Figuring out the best suburbs around McKinney was simple. We used Saturday Night Science to find things people like about living in the suburbs and then locate the suburbs with those things.
We analyzed the newest American Community Survey data for 2018-2022 to research each suburb. We decided upon the following criteria:
- Low unemployment rate
- High median household incomes
- Population density (lots of things to do)
- High home values
- A lot of college-educated people
- Low poverty
- High rate of insured families
We defined a suburb as being within 30 miles of McKinney.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 58 suburbs to evaluate around McKinney.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 58 in each category, where 1 was the “best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality-of-life index.
Finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index, the “Best Suburb near McKinney.” We’re lookin’ at you, University Park.
This result may differ from our state-wide data as we did not include commute times and crime for this analysis to allow for a more extensive selection of suburbs.
We updated the data for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best McKinney suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
Summary: Welcome to the Best McKinney ‘Burbs of 2024
We said it once, and we’ll say it again–life in the big city isn’t for everyone. At least not all the time.
The best suburbs of McKinney are .
So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like McKinney but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might be for you.
For more Texas reading, check out:
Table: Best McKinney Suburbs
Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University Park, TX | 25,179 | $250,001 | $2,037,260 |
2 | Coppell, TX | 42,513 | $143,817 | $591,824 |
3 | Highland, TX | 19,267 | $166,429 | $877,307 |
4 | Highland Park, TX | 8,840 | $249,923 | $2,475,526 |
5 | Lucas, TX | 7,746 | $205,288 | $1,003,546 |
6 | Double Oak, TX | 3,039 | $187,115 | $769,545 |
7 | Frisco, TX | 202,075 | $144,567 | $650,075 |
8 | Heath, TX | 9,771 | $211,522 | $701,027 |
9 | Flower Mound, TX | 76,630 | $154,471 | $582,405 |
10 | Providence, TX | 8,418 | $98,454 | $493,068 |
11 | Prosper, TX | 31,507 | $178,224 | $764,610 |
12 | Murphy, TX | 20,880 | $152,847 | $583,866 |
13 | Mclendon-Chisholm, TX | 3,755 | $167,750 | $714,461 |
14 | Krugerville, TX | 2,024 | $122,500 | $398,391 |
15 | Parker, TX | 5,573 | $202,727 | $1,011,628 |
16 | Lavon, TX | 4,939 | $122,889 | $366,648 |
17 | Copper Canyon, TX | 2,125 | $135,938 | $890,304 |
18 | Allen, TX | 105,444 | $121,259 | $506,564 |
19 | Fairview, TX | 10,354 | $103,219 | $640,850 |
20 | Corinth, TX | 22,502 | $116,083 | $411,905 |
21 | Melissa, TX | 15,244 | $138,465 | $450,384 |
22 | Rockwall, TX | 47,859 | $114,799 | $440,779 |
23 | Celina, TX | 21,501 | $142,643 | $551,707 |
24 | Sachse, TX | 27,829 | $127,888 | $443,583 |
25 | Oak Point, TX | 4,957 | $104,120 | $447,635 |
26 | Hickory Creek, TX | 4,906 | $138,584 | $489,358 |
27 | Plano, TX | 284,948 | $105,679 | $503,025 |
28 | Grapevine, TX | 50,763 | $107,165 | $517,910 |
29 | The Colony, TX | 44,323 | $106,518 | $403,361 |
30 | Van Alstyne, TX | 4,846 | $75,882 | $413,866 |
31 | Sunnyvale, TX | 7,873 | $152,632 | $638,548 |
32 | Wylie, TX | 57,063 | $109,465 | $411,646 |
33 | Hackberry, TX | 2,862 | $112,981 | $390,109 |
34 | Rowlett, TX | 63,291 | $110,954 | $381,572 |
35 | Shady Shores, TX | 2,811 | $149,333 | $547,569 |
36 | Addison, TX | 17,026 | $78,153 | $462,821 |
37 | Fate, TX | 19,010 | $121,935 | $369,189 |
38 | Carrollton, TX | 132,284 | $95,380 | $410,598 |
39 | Aubrey, TX | 5,932 | $93,071 | $378,839 |
40 | Richardson, TX | 118,063 | $94,362 | $436,131 |
41 | Lake Dallas, TX | 7,682 | $72,386 | $339,586 |
42 | Princeton, TX | 18,441 | $93,586 | $332,177 |
43 | Little Elm, TX | 48,241 | $110,218 | $426,402 |
44 | Lakewood, TX | 63,142 | $65,531 | $476,344 |
45 | Lewisville, TX | 125,028 | $82,006 | $395,721 |
46 | Gunter, TX | 2,279 | $106,700 | $611,561 |
47 | Farmers Branch, TX | 35,985 | $88,282 | $372,175 |
48 | Caddo Mills, TX | 2,051 | $73,056 | $351,812 |
49 | Anna, TX | 18,585 | $93,785 | $352,841 |
50 | Irving, TX | 254,962 | $76,686 | $337,139 |
51 | Denton, TX | 142,262 | $71,921 | $355,295 |
52 | Josephine, TX | 3,497 | $80,648 | $305,024 |
53 | Garland, TX | 244,026 | $71,044 | $297,145 |
54 | Dallas, TX | 1,300,642 | $63,985 | $306,310 |
55 | Sherman, TX | 44,052 | $58,020 | $251,433 |
56 | Pilot Point, TX | 4,509 | $68,676 | $326,356 |
57 | Leonard, TX | 2,468 | $52,346 | $347,136 |
58 | Howe, TX | 3,553 | $59,375 | $253,106 |