Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to McKinney, TX
Relocating 614 mi from Tuscaloosa to McKinney is a 11h 11m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
614 mi Β· 11h 11m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 17.5% above Tuscaloosa β 87.722 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 17.5% β $48,536 β $120,273 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McKinney average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 614 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 110.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McKinney, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 614 mi and the route typically takes 11h 11m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 17.5% higher than Tuscaloosa (103.09 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 147.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· McKinney, TX.