Abilene TX vs Killeen TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 45,598 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 44.1 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.9% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Killeen
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Killeen
3.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Killeen
$220,846
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $220,846 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Killeen
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Killeen
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 45.7% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.7% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.3% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.0°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 33.1 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 30.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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