Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 45,598 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 44.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 57.8% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 45.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.3% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 66.0°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.4 min | Kansas 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 501 in Kansas City. 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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