Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Killeen
6.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 45,598 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 44.1 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.0% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.9% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 6.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.7% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Killeen
20.7%
Killeen +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 45.7% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.7% | Killeen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.3% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 66.0°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 30.4 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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