Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Killeen leads 12 of 23 categories
Killeen
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,086
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
153,708 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Killeen, TX
Pros
Homes cost $139k less ($175,400 vs $314,400)
Rent averages $292/mo less ($1,084 vs $1,376)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 49°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Suffolk
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $30,672/yr
Violent crime (527.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.9% vs 6.3%)
Suffolk, VA
Pros
Households earn $30,672 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (6.3%)
30% less violent crime than Killeen
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,400
Higher rents — median is $1,376/mo
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Killeen
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 91.8 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Killeen
Median Home Value
$139k less
$175,400 vs $314,400
Killeen
Summer Heat
8.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Median Income
$30,672
$87,758 vs $57,086/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
30% lower
371.0 vs 527.6 per 100k
Suffolk
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
6.3% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 ✓ Lower | $314,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 7.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 75 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Killeen is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Killeen leads 12 of 23 categories. Killeen wins 12 and Suffolk wins 11. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $314,400 median home), income ($57,086 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Suffolk, VA are about 1,268 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.