Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Killeen
81.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 45,598 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 44.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 84.0% | 81.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.9% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Killeen
20.7%
Killeen +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 45.7% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.7% | Killeen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Killeen
33.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.4 min | Johnson City + |
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 639 in Johnson City. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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