McKinney vs Allen
Pick McKinney for newer homes and new construction. Pick Allen for a shorter drive to Dallas. Typical home values run $412,000 to $508,000 in McKinney and $452,000 to $645,000 in Allen, by ZIP code (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
| McKinney | Allen | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, by ZIP | $412,000 to $508,000 | $452,000 to $645,000 |
| Citywide value trend, past year | -5.1% (McKinney) | -5.1% (Allen) |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Home types | Single-family, Historic homes, New build, Townhome | Single-family, Townhome |
| Home age | Historic core (early 1900s) through active new construction to the north and west | Mostly 1990s–2010s |
| Lots | Varied: historic lots downtown, master-planned lots, acreage at the edges | Standard suburban lots |
| HOA | HOAs common in newer communities; historic district has preservation rules instead | HOAs common, typically moderate dues |
| School districts | McKinney ISD, Frisco ISD (parts), Prosper ISD (parts), Lovejoy ISD (parts) | Allen ISD, Lovejoy ISD (parts), Plano ISD (parts) |
| Property tax rate (2025, total) | 1.75% | 1.77% |
| Drive to Downtown Dallas | ~37 min 31 mi | ~30 min 25 mi |
| Drive to Legacy West (Plano) | ~20 min 15 mi | ~20 min 12 mi |
| Drive to DFW Airport | ~46 min 36 mi | ~46 min 34 mi |
| Drive to Downtown Fort Worth | ~65 min 57 mi | ~62 min 54 mi |
| Major roads | US 75, SH 121, US 380 | US 75, SH 121 |
| Nearby | Historic Downtown McKinney square, Craig Ranch, Towne Lake Park, Erwin Park | Watters Creek, Allen Premium Outlets, Allen Event Center, Celebration 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.
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
Allen
Allen is a polished, mid-sized suburb with 1990s–2000s homes, strong retail and a central position on US 75.
Strengths
- Central US 75 location
- Good retail and parks
- Mostly established, move-in-ready homes
Tradeoffs
- Limited new-build land
- US 75 peak congestion
- Competitive at popular price points
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