Moving from McKinney to Dallas, TX
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Quick answer: Moving from McKinney to Dallas costs between $40 to $4,158 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 34-mile route within Texas take to days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from McKinney to Dallas
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from McKinney to Dallas are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in McKinney to driving and unloading in Dallas, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 34 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $843 - $2,654 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $395 - $1,144 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $49 - $121 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | AB Moving | $89/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from McKinney to Dallas?
It costs between $40 to $4,158 to move from McKinney to Dallas. The prices below break down your 34-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $462 - $4,158
- Moving containers: $129 - $1,581
- Rental trucks: $40 - $153
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $462 - $1,335 | $129 - $789 | $40 - $99 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $843 - $2,654 | $395 - $1,144 | $49 - $121 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,303 - $4,158 | $824 - $1,581 | $63 - $153 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $336 - $2,800+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $89/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $80/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $224 - $896 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $56 - $224 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from McKinney to Dallas
At 34 miles, your McKinney to Dallas move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from McKinney to Dallas. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Texas, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 34 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from McKinney to Dallas. They've been in business since 2024 (2 years of experience) and 92.1% of their 189 verified reviews are positive.
More Texas moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dallas to McKinney guide.
Considerations when moving from McKinney to Dallas
Cost of living: McKinney vs. Dallas
When comparing the cost of living between McKinney and Dallas, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Dallas stacks up against McKinney.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| McKinney | Dallas | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,300 | $1,774 |
| Average home cost | $438,120 | $303,018 |
| Average income (per capita) | $120,273 | $67,760 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,232 | $2,828 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,876 | $7,793 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
- Rent in Dallas is about 23% cheaper than in McKinney, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Dallas are 31% lower than in McKinney, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in Dallas is 44% lower than in McKinney. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Living expenses for one person in Dallas are 27% higher than in McKinney, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 60% higher than in McKinney. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Dallas one of the more expensive cities for families.
- Unemployment in Dallas is 40% lower than in McKinney. That means you’ll enjoy a stronger job market, more opportunities, and greater economic stability in your new city.
- Since sales taxes are the same in Dallas and McKinney, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,810 in Dallas to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in McKinney.
How life is different in McKinney vs. Dallas
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Dallas vs. McKinney. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| McKinney | Dallas | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 195,308 | 1,304,379 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-47 | Republican 56-42 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 96ºF |
| Winter low | 32ºF | 36ºF |
| Annual rain | 41" | 39" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 1" |
| Crime index | 21.48 | 51.4 |
Dallas sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Dallas is around 568% bigger than McKinney. A move to a larger city brings more people, fresh opportunities, and richer cultural experiences, but also comes with higher living costs and a busier lifestyle. Whether that sounds thrilling or daunting really depends on what you’re looking for in your next home.
- In the last presidential election, both McKinney and Dallas voted Republican.
- Both Dallas and McKinney average summer highs close to 96°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both McKinney and Dallas experience similar winter lows, with McKinney reaching 32°F and Dallas getting down to 36°F.
- Both McKinney and Dallas see about the same yearly rainfall—McKinney averages 41 inches, while Dallas gets 39 inches each year.
- Both McKinney and Dallas get about the same amount of snow annually—McKinney averages 2 inches, while Dallas gets 1 inch.
- Dallas has a higher crime rate than McKinney, with a crime index of 51.4 vs 21.48.
Things to do in Dallas
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Dallas has you covered.
Museums in Dallas
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Rainbow Vomit
Parks in Dallas
- Klyde Warren Park
- White Rock Lake Park
- Main Street Garden Park
- Fair Park
- Reverchon Park
Sports teams in Dallas
- Texas Rangers (MLB)
- Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
- Dallas Stars (NHL)
- Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
- FC Dallas (MLS)
Universities in Dallas
- Dallas County Community College District
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas at Dallas
- Criswell College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from McKinney to Dallas?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from McKinney to Dallas, expect to pay between $336 and $1,214 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $843 and $2,654. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,303 up to $4,158 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from McKinney to Dallas?
If you’re moving from McKinney to Dallas and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $114 and go up to $798. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $395 and $1,144. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $824 and $1,581.
How much is a moving truck from McKinney to Dallas?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $40 to $93. A larger move will cost $49 to $121, and a four-bedroom or larger move from McKinney to Dallas costs from $63 to $153.
How far in advance should I book McKinney-to-Dallas movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from McKinney to Dallas at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your McKinney-to-Dallas movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Dallas?
To save money on your move to Dallas, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
