Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Kent
67.2%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 45,598 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 44.1 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.0% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.3% | 2.9% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 10.7% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 45.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.7% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.3% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 66.0°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 30.4 min | Kent + |
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, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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