Killeen TX vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 66.6% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.9% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $63,072 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $35,958 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.7% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 15.9% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 30.9% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 58.4% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.4% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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