Killeen vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Killeen
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Killeen costs 30.0% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $107,143 in Meridian.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $107,143 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $52,500 in Killeen.
Living in Killeen vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $509,000. The $274,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,808 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $494/month in Meridian. Killeen offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Killeen and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $344 in Meridian. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Killeen and 103 in Meridian. 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 $56,400 in Killeen and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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