Killeen TX vs San Marcos 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.8% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 66.6% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.4% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
San Marcos
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $64,146 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $33,835 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 11.9% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 24.9% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $313,452 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 63.3% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, 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%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Killeen +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 22.3% | Killeen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.7% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.7% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 68.5°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 35.7 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
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, San Marcos 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 San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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