Killeen TX vs Murrieta CA — 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Murrieta
84,304
Murrieta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Killeen +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Murrieta
79.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Murrieta
10.1%
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 84,304 | Murrieta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 46.0 | Killeen + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 81.5% | 79.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 0.7% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.1% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Murrieta
$158,461
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Murrieta
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Murrieta
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $158,461 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.4% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 7.3% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $690,322 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 53.1% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Murrieta
24.9 min
Murrieta +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.9 min | Murrieta + |
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 503 in Murrieta. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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