El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Killeen
11.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 45,598 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 44.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.9% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Killeen
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Killeen
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Killeen
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 45.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.7% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 17.3% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 66.0°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 33.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.4 min | El Paso + |
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 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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