Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

McKinney is 123% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,841/mo ↑ 76%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 43%
$120,273/yr ↑ 171%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 63%
$439,500 ↑ 217%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 68%
$2,101/mo ↑ 112%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 53%
202,314
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $794/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $9,528/year.

Median household income is $75,897/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Texas has no state income tax, giving McKinney residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Birmingham — common questions

Is McKinney or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Birmingham?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $794/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Birmingham?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $75,897/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Birmingham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Birmingham

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Birmingham vs. Tallahassee Birmingham vs. Sunrise Manor Birmingham vs. Amarillo Birmingham vs. Grand Prairie Birmingham vs. Oxnard Birmingham vs. Montgomery