Fayetteville vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Killeen
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.1%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $70,000 in Killeen.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $70,000 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $80,357 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $235,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville 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 98 in Fayetteville and 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $432 in Killeen. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 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 $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,316/month in Killeen. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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