Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 45,598 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 44.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 36.2% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Killeen
20.7%
Killeen +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 45.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.7% | Killeen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 30.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
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, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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