Killeen TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Killeen
45,598
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 81.5% | 58.0% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $67,544 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $35,825 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 6.4% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 19.8% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 34.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $435,532 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 42.4% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.1% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 48.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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