Killeen TX vs Knoxville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 72.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.6% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.5% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $50,994 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $33,171 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.4% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 20.5% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 33.7% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $371,202 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 46.6% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Killeen +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 22.0% | Killeen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.8% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.8% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 51.9 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
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 Knoxville. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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