Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 45,598 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 44.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 45.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 17.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.6% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 30.4 min | Atlanta + |
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, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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