Amarillo 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 45,598 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 44.1 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 68.0% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.9% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 10.7% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Killeen
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Killeen
$220,846
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $220,846 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Killeen
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Killeen
2339
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, 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
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 45.7% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.7% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 17.3% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 66.0°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 33.1 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, 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
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.4 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Amarillo, TX vs New York, NYAmarillo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAmarillo, TX vs Chicago, ILAmarillo, TX vs Houston, TXAmarillo, TX vs Phoenix, AZAmarillo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA