McKinney Feels North Texas's Widening Housing Affordability Gap

As North Texas experiences significant growth, the dream of home ownership is increasingly elusive for many. Frisco, located about 12 miles west of McKinney, exemplifies this trend, having expanded from a population of 33,000 at the turn of the century to over 200,000 today.

This rapid growth has been accompanied by a surge in home prices, pushing buyers to seek more affordable options in newer areas like Celina and Prosper.

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, now the fourth-largest in the nation with around 8.5 million residents, continues to attract newcomers at a rate of over 100,000 annually. The region's appeal is bolstered by corporate relocations and expansions, with 119 such moves recorded in 2025, making it the highest in the U.S. However, the demand for housing has outstripped wage growth, resulting in a significant affordability gap.

The median home price in the area is approximately $400,000, while the typical monthly mortgage payment has surged by 82% over the past five years, compared to a 26% increase in household incomes.

As home insurance costs rise and mortgage rates remain high, many first-time buyers and younger households find themselves priced out of the market. This situation has led families to search for homes further from urban centers, contributing to the rapid growth of smaller towns in the region.

Sources

North Texas Keeps Booming, but Home Ownership Slips Out of Reach (frisco.city)