Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Killeen
6.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 45,598 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 44.1 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.0% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.9% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 6.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 10.7% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 45.7% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.7% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.3% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 33.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 30.4 min | Killeen + |
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 503 in Escondido. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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