Killeen TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 81.5% | 69.7% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.5% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $78,779 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $39,586 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.6% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 10.5% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 31.5% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $435,670 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 64.3% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.1% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 71.8°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
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 450 in Mesa. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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