City Comparison

McKinney vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

McKinney

Texas
112
Above Average
$472,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$124,200
Median Income

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

41.8%

Living in Montgomery costs 41.8% less than McKinney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in McKinney, you would need $52,902 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
140
McKinney
49
Montgomery
Groceries
97
McKinney
99
Montgomery
Utilities
113
McKinney
115
Montgomery
Transportation
85
McKinney
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
129
McKinney
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in McKinney has the same purchasing power as $52,902 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $106,329 in McKinney.

Living in McKinney vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

McKinney's housing index of 140 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $472,000 vs $162,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in McKinney compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in McKinney and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in McKinney vs $470/month in Montgomery. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in McKinney and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in McKinney vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 129 in McKinney and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 51-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $124,200 in McKinney and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,893 and $71,899 respectively. McKinney residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,898/month to housing in McKinney vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 91 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 41.8% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in McKinney has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,902 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
McKinney's housing index is 140 with median homes at $472,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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