Killeen TX vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 81.5% | 53.7% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.9% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $77,041 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $40,309 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.1% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 14.3% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 32.3% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $411,323 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 57.1% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Phoenix
17.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 17.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.3% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 72.1°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
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 Phoenix. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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