Killeen TX vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.3% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 71.0% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.8% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $55,902 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $33,290 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.9% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 15.6% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 29.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 59.2% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 39.0 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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