Killeen TX vs Memphis 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.4% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 25.0% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.7% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.2% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $51,211 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $32,314 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 8.3% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 22.5% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 28.2% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 46.0% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, 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%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Memphis
20.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.6% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.9% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 54.9 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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