Killeen TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 81.5% | 59.4% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $83,857 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $44,756 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.3% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 12.0% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 33.5% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $496,966 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 56.5% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 39.2 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Killeen +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.1 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, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Killeen, TX vs New York, NYKilleen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Killeen, TXHouston, TX vs Killeen, TXKilleen, TX vs Phoenix, AZKilleen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA