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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

McKinney is 116% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,841/mo ↑ 74%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 42%
$120,273/yr ↑ 116%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 54%
$439,500 ↑ 196%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 66%
$2,101/mo ↑ 105%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 51%
202,314
Population
198,440

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $782/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $9,384/year.

Median household income is $64,586/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Montgomery — common questions

Is McKinney or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Montgomery?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $782/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Montgomery?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $64,586/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 Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View McKinney details → View Montgomery details →

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