Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Athens
57.6%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 45,598 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 44.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 57.6% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Killeen
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 45.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.0°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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