Killeen TX vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 69.9% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.2% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.2% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $67,631 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $42,272 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 15.7% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 47.3% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $332,727 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 53.6% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 45.2 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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