McKenzie is a small town of 711 in Alabama, with a median household income of $33,571
and a 2.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 82 (US average = 100), which is
18% below the national average.
Strengths:
McKenzie stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether McKenzie is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All McKenzie city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 82.3
McKenzie's overall cost of living index is 82.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in McKenzie costs roughly 18% less than the average American city.
Metric
McKenzie, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$55,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$525
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$33,571
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
McKenzie's violent crime rate is 221.1 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
221.1 /100k
Property Crime
1480.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
McKenzie is served primarily by Butler County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
McKenzie, AL
National Avg
School District
Butler County
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
86.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
McKenzie sees average highs of 59.3°F in January
and 90.8°F in July,
with 60.8 inches of annual precipitation
.
McKenzie's cost of living index is 82, where 100 is the national average.
That makes McKenzie roughly 18% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $55,000 and median rent is $525/month.
McKenzie's violent crime rate is 221.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1480.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in McKenzie are operated by Butler County.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.8:1. 8.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
McKenzie, AL has a population of 711, a median household income of $33,571, and an unemployment rate of 2.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
McKenzie averages 59.3°F in January and 90.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 60.8 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
McKenzie, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36456.
The population of McKenzie, Alabama is 711 with a median age of 35.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in McKenzie: cost of living index 82 (100 = US average), median home $55,000, median household income $33,571, crime index 63 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McKenzie side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
