Killeen TX vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.9% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 46.4% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.4% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $60,583 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $43,242 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.2% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 16.4% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 44.0% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 54.2% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 50.0 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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