Killeen TX vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 81.5% | 39.1% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.5% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $62,789 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $35,740 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.3% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 15.5% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 28.0% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $313,219 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 48.5% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.8% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
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, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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