Frisco vs McKinney
Pick Frisco for more shopping, dining and things to do and a shorter drive to the Legacy/SH 121 job corridor. Typical home values run $555,000 to $658,000 in Frisco and $412,000 to $508,000 in McKinney, by ZIP code (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
| Frisco | McKinney | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, by ZIP | $555,000 to $658,000 | $412,000 to $508,000 |
| Citywide value trend, past year | -3.9% (Frisco) | -5.1% (McKinney) |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Home types | Single-family, Townhome, Luxury new build, Condo (limited) | Single-family, Historic homes, New build, Townhome |
| Home age | Mostly 1995–present; active new construction on the north side | Historic core (early 1900s) through active new construction to the north and west |
| Lots | Standard suburban lots in master-planned communities; larger lots in select enclaves | Varied: historic lots downtown, master-planned lots, acreage at the edges |
| HOA | HOAs are the norm, often with amenity centers and pools | HOAs common in newer communities; historic district has preservation rules instead |
| School districts | Frisco ISD, Prosper ISD (parts), Lewisville ISD (parts), Little Elm ISD (parts) | McKinney ISD, Frisco ISD (parts), Prosper ISD (parts), Lovejoy ISD (parts) |
| Property tax rate (2025, total) | 1.63% to 1.68% | 1.75% |
| Drive to Downtown Dallas | ~35 min 27 mi | ~37 min 31 mi |
| Drive to Legacy West (Plano) | ~10 min 6 mi | ~20 min 15 mi |
| Drive to DFW Airport | ~37 min 26 mi | ~46 min 36 mi |
| Drive to Downtown Fort Worth | ~57 min 47 mi | ~65 min 57 mi |
| Major roads | DNT, SH 121, US 380, PGBT | US 75, SH 121, US 380 |
| Nearby | The Star, Stonebriar Centre, Toyota Stadium, Riders Field, Frisco Square | Historic Downtown McKinney square, Craig Ranch, Towne Lake Park, Erwin Park |
Home values: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026. Tax rates: 2025 tax rates per $100 of value, from Republic Title's 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates (compiled from county appraisal districts). County column includes county, community college and hospital districts where they apply. Excludes MUD/PID and special districts, and is before homestead exemptions. Drive times: Off-peak drive estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), measured from each area's center on 2026-10-21. Rush hour is often much longer. School districts vary by street, so verify by address.
Frisco
Frisco is the default answer for many relocating buyers: newer homes, big-league sports and entertainment, and a deep bench of master-planned communities with amenity centers.
Strengths
- Wide selection of newer homes
- Entertainment and dining density for a suburb
- Close to the Legacy and SH 121 job corridors
Tradeoffs
- Tollway traffic and toll costs to Dallas
- MUD/PID districts can raise carrying costs
- Pricing is competitive for move-up buyers
McKinney
McKinney has a real historic downtown, plus everything from 1900s homes to brand-new master plans. It often gets you more house than Frisco or Allen.
Strengths
- Distinctive historic downtown
- Wide range of price points and home ages
- Often more space per dollar than Frisco
Tradeoffs
- Longer commute to Dallas from the north side
- US 380 traffic
- MUD/PID taxes in some new communities
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