Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Knoxville, TN
🏆 Killeen leads 13 of 22 categories
Killeen
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,086 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,708
Knoxville
Tennessee
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Killeen, TX
Pros
29% less violent crime than Knoxville
Households earn $8,777 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (527.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.9% vs 4.8%)
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.1 pts lower (4.8%)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (740.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Killeen by $8,777/yr
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 91.8 vs 92.8 (100 = US avg)
Killeen
Median Income
$8,777
$57,086 vs $48,309/yr
Killeen
Violent Crime
29% lower
527.6 vs 740.3 per 100k
Killeen
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 88.3°F
Knoxville
Unemployment
6.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 ✓ Cheaper | 92.8 |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 ✓ Lower | $184,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $1,043 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 ✓ Higher | $48,309 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 9.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 90.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | Knox County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" ✓ Drier | 55.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 | 191,857 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 33.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% ✓ Higher | 46.2% |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Knoxville's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Killeen is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Killeen leads 13 of 22 categories. Killeen wins 13 and Knoxville wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Killeen to Knoxville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $184,200 median home), income ($57,086 vs $48,309), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Knoxville, TN are about 862 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.