Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Independence
72.2%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 45,598 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 44.1 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 72.2% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.9% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Killeen
$220,846
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $220,846 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 45.7% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.7% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 66.0°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 30.4 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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