McKinney TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 107,699 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 4.7% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 24.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.6% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 5.2% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $48,536 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.0% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 23.8% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 45.1% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 42.6% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.0% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 21.3% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.7% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 65.0°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 55.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Tuscaloosa 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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