Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Killeen
6.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 45,598 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 44.1 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 11.0% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.0% | 2.9% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 6.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 10.7% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Killeen
60.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 60.1% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 45.7% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.7% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 17.3% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.6% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 66.0°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 33.1 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 30.4 min | Irvine + |
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 Irvine. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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