Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Wichita, KS
🏆 Wichita leads 14 of 23 categories
Killeen
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8
Median Household Income
$57,086
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,708
Wichita
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,712 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
395,951 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Killeen, TX
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 44°F
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 5.7%)
Median income trails Wichita by $3,626/yr
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Wichita
Wichita, KS
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.2 pts lower (5.7%)
Rent averages $169/mo less ($915 vs $1,084)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.5)
Households earn $3,626 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (538.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Violent Crime
2% lower
527.6 vs 538.6 per 100k
Killeen
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 92.6°F
Wichita
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 89.5 vs 91.8 (100 = US avg)
Wichita
Median Income
$3,626
$60,712 vs $57,086/yr
Wichita
Unemployment
5.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Wichita, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 | 89.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 | $166,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $915 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 | $60,712 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 18.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% ✓ Higher | 6.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 142⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 110⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 88.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | Wichita |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 43.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 92.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" | 35.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 12.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 | 395,951 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 58.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 24.6% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Wichita's 89.5 (US average = 100).
Wichita is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita leads 14 of 23 categories. Killeen wins 9 and Wichita wins 14. 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 or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $166,400 median home), income ($57,086 vs $60,712), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Wichita, KS are about 457 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.