Killeen, TX, known as 'The Great Place,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Bell County, Killeen is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Austin (70 miles) and Waco (60 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Killeen's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Killeen is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Mayborn Science Theater, the historic 1st Cavalry Division Museum, and the scenic Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lions Club Park to the bustling Killeen Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Killeen's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Tex-Mex cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Celebrate Killeen Festival and the Central Texas State Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Killeen's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Central Texas College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Killeen is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Vive Les Arts Theatre and the Killeen Civic and Conference Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Killeen provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Killeen’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Fort Hood Phantom Warriors, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Killeen include military, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Fort Cavazos and Seton Medical Center driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Located in the state of Texas, Killeen is a moderately-sized city with a population of 152,944 people. Killeen is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (42%) and Black or African American (40%). Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Killeen are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 16% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Killeen residents is 29, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Killeen, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.
Living in Killeen can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Texas, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Killeen and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Killeen to Texas and the national average.
The livability score in Killeen is 63/100 and the city is ranked in the 50th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Killeen has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Killeen. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (D), crime (D-) and employment (D).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Killeen apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Killeen meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Killeen. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Killeen are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Killeen come in at $239,769, which is 6.6% lower than the Texas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Killeen, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 0% lower than the Texas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Killeen | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.1% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.4% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.7% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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