Killeen TX vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Santa Ana
42.9
Santa Ana +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 42.9 | Santa Ana + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 81.5% | 66.9% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $109,739 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 11.6% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $865,610 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 28.8% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 20.7% | Killeen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.7% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
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 Santa Ana. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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