Killeen TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 81.5% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $77,643 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $42,371 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.7% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 16.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 49.5% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $468,328 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 41.6% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.3% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Killeen +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 71.3°F | Killeen + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 450 in Tempe. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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