Killeen vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Killeen
Raleigh
💡 The Verdict
Killeen is 10% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $75,000 salary in Killeen is equivalent to $83,152 in Raleigh.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Killeen (left) vs Raleigh (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Killeen versus Raleigh. Differences shown from Killeen perspective.
| Item | Killeen | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,060/mo | $1,010/mo | +$50.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,420/mo | $1,500/mo | $-80.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,880/mo | $1,950/mo | $-70.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.58 | $2.89 | $-0.31 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.16 | $3.88 | $-0.72 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.87 | $3.31 | $-0.44 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.70 | $5.93 | $-0.23 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.09 | $3.37 | $-0.28 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.86 | $18.36 | $-0.50 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $83,152 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $67,647 in Killeen.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3451 difference is driven by North Carolina having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · North Carolina details →
Reading These Numbers: Killeen (92) vs Raleigh (102)
Killeen at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Raleigh at 102 is 2% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Killeen, the composite index of 92 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 103, followed by groceries (92), utilities (87), transportation (92), and healthcare (93). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,420/mo in Killeen and $1,500/mo in Raleigh, the annual rent difference is approximately $960.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $4,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $62,000.0 difference in median home prices between Killeen and Raleigh translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Killeen vs Raleigh
Choosing between Killeen and Raleigh involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Killeen versus Raleigh depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.