The median single-family home price in Allen, TX, sits at $505,299. If you are shopping for a house in Collin County, you will almost certainly weigh this market against neighboring McKinney.

Both cities run along the US 75 corridor and offer distinct housing types and commute times toward Dallas. The choice usually comes down to the specific kind of property you want and how far south you need to drive every day.

Key Takeaway

Search Allen first if you want an established resale home closer to Plano and Dallas. Allen’s single-family market has 3.4 months of supply, which is close to balanced, so expect to negotiate modestly rather than dictate terms. Look to McKinney instead if you want newer construction or a historic downtown, and accept a longer drive south and possible MUD or PID assessments on newer subdivisions.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for buyers weighing a home purchase in Allen against one in McKinney who need to decide which city’s listings to tour first.

How Allen and McKinney Differ for Homebuyers

The choice between these two cities turns on home type and housing age more than anything else. Both sit in Collin County along US 75, with Allen positioned between Plano and McKinney. The local high school football rivalry gets plenty of attention, but your real estate decision depends on market pace and property age. The pros and cons of living in Allen, TX, provide additional context for this choice.

Allen single-family homes currently close near full list price. The city’s small townhouse segment, by contrast, sits for a median of 137 days, based on 19 sales during the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. You have little room to haggle on a typical Allen house. On a townhouse, you have considerably more.

To keep comparisons honest, any McKinney market figures in this guide use that same 90-day window.

Allen vs McKinney Home Prices

The median sale price for a single-family home in Allen reflects a 1.8% drop year over year for the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. On a home near that median, that’s roughly $9,000 less than a year ago. Modest softening, not a full buyer’s market.

You can review our Allen housing market update for deeper trend details, or check our cost of living guide for non-housing expenses.

Median figures also hide the full price spread, and city lines often matter less than the specific subdivision. A broad median won’t tell you what a specific street costs. Compare price per square foot on the actual homes you tour in either city to get a true read on value.

Single-Family Homes vs Townhouses in Allen

Allen townhouses carry 8.5 months of supply, and their median price per square foot is $224 compared to $212 for single-family homes, based on 19 townhouse sales during the 90 days ending September 30, 2026. Because townhouses sit longer, you are in a buyer’s position where time works in your favor. You can use that slower pace to ask for seller concessions or repairs.

You are paying more per square foot for a format that resells more slowly. The sale-to-list ratio measures against the final list price, so a townhouse that’s been sitting for months may have already had significant cuts before you see it. Ask the listing agent for the original list price and full price history, particularly on anything that’s been on the market a while.

Get the HOA dues, what they cover, and any pending special assessments before you go under contract. The same slow pace that gives you an advantage on the way in will work against you on the way out.

Resale in Allen vs New Construction in McKinney

As of the April 2025 adoption of the Allen 2045 Comprehensive Plan, the city was nearing full buildout, with only 8.86% of its land remaining vacant. Most of what you’ll find in Allen is resale in established neighborhoods. You can explore our guide to local subdivisions or view homes in master-planned communities like Twin Creeks to get a sense of that inventory. The tradeoff is that older homes often need updates, so pay close attention to the age of the roof, HVAC, and foundation during your inspection.

McKinney is still actively adding subdivisions. City planners issued 1,639 single-family permits in 2025, accounting for more than $553 million in construction value. The catch is that many newer Texas subdivisions sit in a Municipal Utility District (MUD) or Public Improvement District (PID), which adds an assessment on top of your base property tax bill. Under Texas Water Code Section 49.452, a seller must give the purchaser written notice if the property is located in a water district. Ask for the MUD or PID disclosure and the current assessment rate before you try to compare monthly costs between cities.

Commute and Location

Both cities rely on US 75 for regional travel. Allen sits south of McKinney, placing it closer to major employment centers. Secondary sources estimate Allen is roughly 20 miles north of downtown Dallas, while the City of McKinney states it is located 30 miles north of downtown Dallas.

McKinney offers better access to locations farther north and east, along with direct access to State Highway 121 on its south side. If you’re driving south daily toward Plano or Dallas, living in Allen shortens the trip. If your work or daily routine is in McKinney or farther north, that geographic advantage disappears.

You can review our local transit and driving guide to compare toll routes and public transportation options. Drive your actual commute at rush hour from any home you’re serious about before you write an offer. US 75 congestion affects both cities and can narrow the real drive-time gap considerably.

Downtowns and Things to Do

The McKinney Commercial Historic District, centered on the Historic Collin County Courthouse in downtown McKinney, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. That traditional square draws buyers who want a walkable city center. Allen’s lifestyle offerings center on newer shopping destinations, dining complexes, and modern entertainment venues.

You can read our local entertainment guide to see what weekends look like in the area. Buyers considering other neighboring areas can also review our comparison of Frisco and Allen.

One practical note for buyers drawn to McKinney’s historic core: renovations on properties there may be subject to historic preservation review. Check with the City of McKinney planning office whether an address sits in a historic overlay before you start planning exterior changes.

Which City Fits Your Search?

Your daily drive and preferred property type will do most of the deciding for you.

Start with direction. If you’re heading south toward Plano or Dallas most days, Allen’s position shortens that trip. If your work or routine is north or inside McKinney, the advantage flips. Then decide on a single-family home or a townhouse. Townhouses in Allen sit far longer and give you more room to negotiate. After that, figure out whether you want a newer build and whether you’ll accept a MUD or PID assessment on top of your property taxes. If yes, McKinney’s newer subdivisions belong on your list. If not, start with Allen’s established neighborhoods.

Finally, think about whether a walkable historic square matters more to you than shopping-center convenience.

Search Allen first if you want an established single-family resale home with a shorter drive south, where 3.4 months of supply means you can expect modest negotiations. Target Allen townhouses if you want time to negotiate on price or repairs, using their 137 median days on market to your advantage. Look to McKinney if you want a newer build or a home near a historic town square. The Bale Real Estate Group can pull same-window comparisons for specific subdivisions in either city to help you finalize your list, and you can review our buyer’s guide and relocation resources to prepare for your move.

At a Glance

Allen median sale price, all homes: $492,515, down 1.5% year over year (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026; 290 sales)
Allen median sale price, single-family: $505,299, down 1.8% year over year (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026; 270 sales)
Allen median sale price, townhouse: $435,005, down 4.6% year over year (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026; based on 19 sales)
Allen median days on market: 46 for single-family, 137 for townhouses (based on 19 sales), 49 for all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Allen months of supply: 3.4 for single-family, 8.5 for townhouses (based on 19 sales), 3.8 for all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Allen sale-to-list ratio: 97.4% for single-family, 98% for townhouses (based on 19 sales), 97.4% for all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Allen share sold above list: 11.3% for single-family, 5.3% for townhouses (based on 19 sales), 10.8% for all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Allen median price per square foot: $212 for single-family, $224 for townhouses (based on 19 sales), $213 for all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)
Allen active inventory: 297 single-family, 54 townhouses, 363 all homes (90 days ending Sept 30, 2026)

Allen vs McKinney FAQs

How Far Is Allen, TX, from McKinney?

The two cities border each other along the US 75 corridor. Because traffic conditions vary, check a mapping app for the current driving distance and off-peak drive time between the two downtowns via US 75.

Are Allen and McKinney in the Same County?

Yes, both cities are located in Collin County, and McKinney has served as the county seat since 1848. Neither is part of the City of Dallas; both are separate cities within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. For homeowners, this means both cities use the Collin Central Appraisal District to determine property values.

Is Allen Smaller than McKinney?

Yes, in both population and physical size. Per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Allen had an estimated population of 113,447 as of July 1, 2025, and a land area of 26.40 square miles. McKinney had an estimated population of 236,001 and a land area of 66.96 square miles. That larger land area is why McKinney still has room for new subdivisions.

Are Property Taxes Higher in Allen or McKinney?

It depends on the specific address, since total bills include city, school district, and any special district assessments. For fiscal year 2026-27, the Allen City Council approved a city property tax rate of 41.47 cents per $100 of taxable value, while McKinney adopted a city rate of $0.412284 per that same base. For the 2026-27 school year, Allen ISD adopted a rate of $1.1037 per $100 of taxable value, and McKinney ISD adopted a rate of $1.0664 per the same base. Look up the exact property tax rates for a specific address on the Collin Central Appraisal District site, as this is not official tax advice.

Is Allen or McKinney Safer?

To compare safety, look at the same crime categories for the same year using each police department’s published reports and the FBI Crime Data Explorer. Evaluate those figures as rates per 1,000 residents rather than raw counts to account for McKinney’s larger population. You can review local crime data on our Allen safety page.

Which School District Serves a Home in Allen or McKinney?

School district boundaries don’t follow city lines, so a home’s mailing address doesn’t guarantee its district assignment. Confirm school assignment for any specific address with the school district’s own boundary lookup before making a housing decision. You can find more information about local education on our Allen schools page.

Comparing Allen, TX, vs McKinney: Home Prices, Types, and Commutes