| Index | Killeen | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 98 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Killeen allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Killeen stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Killeen closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Killeen can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 13 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Killeen. The results indicated that 77% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 23% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Killeen an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Killeen, the median home price is 26.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 0.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Killeen come in at $74,820, which is 8% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Killeen starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Killeen, the utilities index registers 4.8% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Killeen, the groceries index is 1.3% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Killeen shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $100,119 | $8,343 | $2,336 | $3,004 |
| Renters | $60,654 | $5,055 | $1,415 | $1,820 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Copperas Cove, TX | 33,796 | 90 | 9.6% |
| Nolanville, TX | 5,920 | 94 | 5.9% |
| Kempner, TX | 1,091 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Belton, TX | 22,671 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Harker Heights, TX | 32,820 | 102 | 1.6% |
| Killeen, TX | 152,944 | 94 | 6.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Joliet, IL | 152,137 | 102 | 2.4% |
| Bellevue, WA | 151,975 | 203 | 103.2% |
| Escondido, CA | 153,941 | 150 | 49.9% |
| Naperville, IL | 151,582 | 133 | 32.6% |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Killeen, TX | 152,944 | 94 | 6.1% |