Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Garland
37.5%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Killeen
6.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 45,598 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 44.1 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 11.0% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 15.3% | 2.9% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 6.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 10.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Killeen
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Killeen
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Killeen
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Killeen
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 45.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.7% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 17.3% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.6% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 66.0°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 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 442 in Garland. 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, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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