Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 16 of 23 categories
Killeen
Texas
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8
Median Household Income
$57,086 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
153,708 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Killeen, TX
Pros
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.8)
Cons
Violent crime (527.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.9% vs 4.4%)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.5 pts lower (4.4%)
34% less violent crime than Killeen
Homes cost $47k less ($128,800 vs $175,400)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Rent averages $135/mo less ($949 vs $1,084)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Cons
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Median Income
$1,502
$57,086 vs $55,584/yr
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 91.8 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Violent Crime
34% lower
350.3 vs 527.6 per 100k
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$47k less
$128,800 vs $175,400
Wichita Falls
Unemployment
6.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 6.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 24.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 54.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" | 27.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 16 of 23 categories. Killeen wins 7 and Wichita Falls wins 16. 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $128,800 median home), income ($57,086 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Wichita Falls, TX are about 201 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.