Apartments for Rent in McKinney, TX - 193 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to McKinney, TX

Come on down to McKinney, Texas! Located just a short drive from Dallas, it's not only one of the nicest cities in Texas, it's one of the best in the country. That's right, in 2014, Money magazine named McKinney its #1 Best Place to Live in the US.

But that's just one of many accolades this lovely city has earned. In the past few years alone, McKinney's been recognized as the #1 city for first-time home buyers, #2 real estate market, #4 best city for raising a family, #8 among fastest growing cities, and #16 of the safest cities in America.

In short, whether you are job seeking, looking to start a family, or both, McKinney's got a whole lot to offer.

And all that in a land area that's roughly six times smaller than Dallas, which is just 33 miles away. It is roughly the same size as two other popular Dallas suburbs, Plano and Frisco. Fort Worth can be reached from McKinney with a 57-mile drive, and if you'd like to explore more of Texas, Austin is about 227 miles.

As for the weather in McKinney, summers last from roughly early June to mid-September, with an average temperature of 85°F during the hottest month, July. The McKinney climate features plenty of humidity though, which can make things feel even hotter. Winter stretches from late November to late February, and they're mild, with an average of 43°F during the coldest month of January.

Cost of Living in McKinney, TX

We've all got to eat and doing so at a mid-range restaurant in McKinney will cost you around $42 for two people. Domestic beers are around $3.50 on average.

Utilities, including electricity, water, and garbage disposal, are another unavoidable expense. McKinney residents pay an average of $173 in utilities for a 915-square-foot apartment, which is quite a bit higher than the national average of $149.

McKinney's main public transportation line was shut down in 2015 due to financial troubles, but they do offer the Collins County Transit Program for elderly and low-income residents. The program matches money spent out-of-pocket on taxi service 3-to-1. Meaning if you spend $15 on taxis, you'll receive $45 to your reloadable debit card.

Living in McKinney, TX

What's it like to live McKinney? Let's start with the positives.

These include a strong, moderately-priced housing market and a quickly growing job market, while still maintaining a somewhat small-town vibe. There's also plenty of nature to explore in and around McKinney, and you can feel safe doing it.

On the other hand, the daily commute to downtown Dallas can be tough if you're one of the many folks who works there. McKinney also lacks some big-city amenities, like entertainment options, although they're easily accessible throughout the surrounding area.

Things to Do in McKinney

Many of the top things to do in McKinney are outdoors. Take the dogs for a run at the Dog Park at Bonnie Wenk, go boating, fishing, or just walk the trails at the Towne Lake Recreation Area.

There is also Erwin Park, with some great hiking and biking trails, and the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best things to do with kids.

Other McKinney attractions include the Chestnut Square Historical Village, where you'll be transported back in time and learn more about the city's roots. Historic Downtown McKinney is another treat, and there's plenty of shopping along Main Street.

If you're hungry, don't miss Hutchins BBQ & Catfish, which is considered one of the best BBQ joints in all of Texas - and that's saying something. Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen is another favorite spot to eat in McKinney.

McKinney has some cool annual events too. Bike the Bricks attracts cyclists in droves in May. Whether you're competing or just watching, fun is guaranteed. Then there's the Ice Cream Crank-Off in June, where the city's best chefs compete to see who can make the tastiest frozen treat.

But if beer's more your thing, check out McKinney's Oktoberfest. Just make sure you get the date right, since its mid-September timing can be a little counter-intuitive.

Employment and Economy in McKinney, TX

The McKinney unemployment rate is just 3.3%, which is considerably lower than the national average of 3.9% and the Texas average of 4.1%. Combine that with a very healthy median household income, and you have all the ingredients of a strong local economy.

In fact, from 1990 to 2010, McKinney experienced the highest increase in median income of any city with a population of more than 50,000.

McKinney's three top industries are health and social assistance, retail, and manufacturing. But professional, scientific, and tech services aren't far behind, with Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems coming in as the city's biggest employer.

Education in McKinney, TX

Most McKinney residents are served by the McKinney Independent School District, with the remaining one third split between six other nearby school districts, including the highly rated Allen Independent School District and Frisco Independent School District.

Top private schools in McKinney include McKinney Christian Academy and Cornerstone Christian Academy, both of which are rated in the top 10 in Collins County by Niche.com.

As for the top colleges in McKinney, Collin College is the most notable. However, Richland College and the Richardson campus of the University of Dallas aren't far away.

Tips for Renting in McKinney, TX

If you're looking for some tips for moving to McKinney, let's start with some important information.

Whether you're considering a long-term or short-term lease, it would be wise to do the proper research in terms of renter's rights and neighborhood amenities before moving to a certain area. As laws vary depending on state, check the official local websites to see what your rights are as a renter.

Next, check the area and the property in person and even ask the landlord to give you a tour. This way, you can see for yourself if it's a good fit or not.