Will affordability actually get better in 2026 for Collin County buyers?

by Christina Money

Affordability is the elephant in every room in Collin County. And I want to be honest: affordability rarely “snaps back.” It improves slowly, in layers.

The three levers are:

mortgage rates
home prices
income and lifestyle choices (down payment, debt, location, home type)

Let’s look at the local signals.

Rates: We started 2026 with the average 30-year fixed around 6.15% (Freddie Mac). Freddie Mac+1
Prices: Collin County’s median sale price was around $435K in Nov 2025, and down year over year. Redfin
Time on market: homes taking longer to sell means buyers have more negotiating room. Redfin

That combination is exactly how affordability improves without needing a huge crash.

What affordability looks like in different Collin County cities

It also matters where you’re shopping.

Plano was around $520K median sale price (Nov 2025). Redfin
Frisco was around $675K median sale price (Nov 2025). Redfin
McKinney was around $482.5K median sale price (Nov 2025). Redfin

So when someone tells me, “I want Collin County,” my next question is always, “Which version of Collin County?” Because Plano affordability is a different conversation than Frisco affordability.

How buyers can make 2026 feel more affordable

Affordability is not only price. In a more balanced market, you can often negotiate terms. And terms change your monthly payment.

Here are realistic 2026 moves that help buyers in Collin County Texas:

Ask for closing cost help to buy down your rate (instead of obsessing over a small price cut).
Consider a home that is “cosmetically dated but structurally solid,” where you can add value over time.
Expand one exit north or east. A 10-minute shift can change your price bracket dramatically.