Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 45,598 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 44.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 72.9% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 45.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 20.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 66.0°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 30.4 min | Charleston + |
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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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