🛫 McKinney’s Airport Takeoff: What It Means for Your Next Rental Investment
When a city builds a new airport terminal, most people think about easier flights or shorter TSA lines.
Real estate investors? We think about jobs, migration, rental demand, and price appreciation.
That’s exactly what’s unfolding in McKinney, Texas.
Just north of Dallas, McKinney National Airport (TKI) is undergoing a quiet but transformative upgrade. A new commercial terminal is now under construction, with passenger service expected to begin in late 2026. The impact won’t be limited to air travel. This is the kind of project that changes a region’s trajectory — and savvy investors would be wise to pay attention now, before headlines catch up.
💡 Why This Airport Actually Matters
McKinney National isn’t new — it’s been a major general aviation hub for years, used by corporate jets, cargo carriers, and private pilots. But now it’s adding commercial flights. The new $79 million terminal will initially serve four gates and 200,000 passengers a year, with long-term capacity of over one million.
To put that in perspective: airports like Burbank (CA), Boise (ID), and Lubbock (TX) each serve around a million passengers annually. These aren’t mega-hubs like DFW, but they anchor entire regional economies — and TKI is positioned to do the same.
More importantly, this isn’t just a passenger story. In fiscal year 2023 alone, McKinney’s airport contributed nearly $300 million to the local economy. That number includes private aviation, cargo operations, aircraft services, and the ripple effect of businesses that rely on the airport. Even before going commercial, TKI supports over 1,500 jobs and generates $110 million in earnings.
City leaders expect that number to grow to $400 million annually after commercial flights begin. Over $340 million in capital investments are planned over the next five years to support additional infrastructure, job growth, and service expansion. Several large employers — including Toyota and Texas Instruments — already use the airport for business travel. Surrounding areas are seeing increased commercial activity from logistics firms, travel-related services, and prospective hospitality projects.
This isn’t a speculative plan. Despite voters rejecting a bond proposal in 2023 (mainly due to tax concerns), city leaders secured alternative funding through state grants, federal loans, and local revenues. Construction is already underway. The momentum is real.
✈️ What We’ve Learned from Other Airport Cities
Airports create predictable economic patterns. While McKinney won’t rival DFW or Love Field, it doesn’t need to. Think of it as a regional unlock — a catalyst that elevates local commerce, attracts jobs, and triggers the next wave of housing demand.
Across the country, cities with growing regional airports tend to experience:
A rise in mid- to high-income jobs (aviation, logistics, corporate support, hospitality)
Increased relocation demand from businesses seeking connectivity
Upgrades to nearby infrastructure (roads, retail, public services)
Long-term lift in property values, especially just beyond the flight paths
For investors, that creates opportunity. But you still need to be selective — especially in North Texas, where inventory levels and new construction can vary dramatically across suburbs.
📍 Where the Numbers Point: 4BR Rental Potential by City
Here’s a focused look at cities that sit within TKI’s economic orbit. We’ve removed high-priced or lower-demand areas and zeroed in on key Section 8-friendly suburbs, using current DHA rent limits as a benchmark.
| City | ZIP | DHA 4BR Rent Est | Investment Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | 75409 | $3,250 | One of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. 4BR homes under $320K are still available. Strong Section 8 demand and long runway for growth. |
| Princeton | 75407 | $2,750 | Surging population and capped new permits create an ideal supply/demand setup. Budget-friendly with steady rent support. |
| Melissa | 75454 | $3,750 | Higher rent cap, newer homes, and attractive schools — but rising inventory makes this a watchlist play, not a rush-in. |
| Frisco | 75035 | $3,700 | Executive suburb with high-end appeal. Cash flow is tighter, but short-term rental potential exists. Proceed cautiously near new builds. |
McKinney (75071) remains a solid, stable anchor market but is excluded from the table due to missing DHA rent data. That said, older homes there may qualify under 3BR caps and deliver reliable tenant demand.
🧠 How I’d Play It
If you’re considering a strategic rental purchase within the McKinney airport zone, here’s how I’d approach it:
Target 4BR homes in the low $300s. Several of these cities offer properties that qualify as both 3BR and 4BR rentals depending on layout, giving you flexibility on tenant match.
Start with Anna and Princeton. These are Section 8-friendly, high-growth markets with strong DHA rent coverage and demographic momentum.
Expand to Melissa or McKinney if you’re prioritizing newer builds (Melissa) or long-term stability (McKinney).
Don’t chase proximity alone. Properties directly under future flight paths could see noise-related pushback. Aim for the 10–20 minute radius zones that benefit from economic uplift without direct overhead exposure.
Watch for short-term rental potential. With business travel and hospitality on the rise, certain corners of Frisco or Anna could work as furnished rentals for relocating families or traveling workers.
This isn’t just a play for today. It’s a bet on where tenants will want to live tomorrow — close to jobs, infrastructure, and transportation access.
📦 The Big Picture
The McKinney airport expansion is more than a terminal upgrade. It’s a signal. Infrastructure like this reshapes how people move, where businesses settle, and how fast a region can grow.
You don’t have to wait until the ribbon-cutting. In fact, you shouldn’t.
The time to explore these submarkets is now — while prices are still reasonable, and the narrative is still forming. As the airport takes off, the neighborhoods around it will too.