Killeen TX vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 81.5% | 53.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Plano
$108,649
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Plano
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Plano
59.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $108,649 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $57,753 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.1% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 7.1% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 59.2% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $507,575 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 56.6% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
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, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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