Killeen TX vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 81.5% | 39.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $88,575 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $33,716 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 12.5% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 25.7% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $648,603 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 56.3% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.2% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 66.8°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 34.1 min | Killeen + |
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 Riverside. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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