Killeen TX vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 81.5% | 59.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $67,521 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $34,474 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.9% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 11.6% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 22.6% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
79.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $304,173 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 79.3% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
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, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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