Killeen TX vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| White | 81.5% | 48.7% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.3% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $57,673 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $35,074 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.9% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 17.9% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 37.2% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $419,326 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 54.6% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.5% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 58.4 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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