Arlington vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Killeen
The Verdict
Living in Killeen costs 14.3% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $65,625 in Killeen.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $85,714 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $235,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Killeen. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $432 in Killeen. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,316/month in Killeen. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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