Huntsville AL vs McKinney TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 148,848 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 58.4% | 37.8% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 24.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $29,291 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.8% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 18.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $487,346 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 64.2°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 35.6 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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