Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Killeen
Texas
Pop. 153,708

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
72
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Killeen wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Killeen wins 1–2 overall (72/100)
💰 Killeen is more affordable
💼 Killeen has lower unemployment
🛡️ Killeen has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Killeen — The Verdict

Killeen scores 72/100 compared to Houston's 71.2/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Killeen has a clear edge with home prices 25% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Killeen has a notably lower disaster history with 10 fewer declarations in 20 years. Killeen may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Killeen are 25% lower — a difference of $59,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Killeen saves you $151/month — that's $1,812 per year.
💵
Households in Houston earn $3,354 more per year (6% higher median income).
🛡️
Killeen has experienced 10 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Killeen: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
90
Median Home Value
$235,000
$175,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,084
Median Income
$60,440
$57,086
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Killeen offers home prices 25% lower than Houston, translating to $59,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Houston vs Killeen: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Houston vs Killeen: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Killeen: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
12
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Killeen: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Killeen: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
11
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
Killeen has a markedly lower disaster history — 10 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Houston to Killeen: Common Questions

Is Houston or Killeen cheaper to live in?
Killeen is more affordable overall. Home prices are $59,600 lower in Killeen. Monthly rent is $1,084 in Killeen vs $1,235 in Houston.
Does Houston or Killeen have better weather?
Killeen scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Killeen better for finding a job?
Killeen currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 4.3% in Killeen. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $57,086 in Killeen.
Which city is safer — Houston or Killeen?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Killeen is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 11 in Killeen. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Killeen.
Should I move from Houston to Killeen?
Based on our data, Killeen scores 72.0/100 vs Houston's 71.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Killeen is more affordable, while Killeen has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.