Killeen vs San Antonio
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Killeen
San Antonio
The Verdict
Killeen is 6.7% less expensive than San Antonio overall. A household earning $75,000 in Killeen would need approximately $80,357 in San Antonio to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $80,357 in San Antonio.
Conversely, $75,000 in San Antonio equals $70,000 in Killeen.
Living in Killeen vs San Antonio
Housing Costs
Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower San Antonio's 78, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $250,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,200/mo in San Antonio, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 93 in San Antonio. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $442/month in San Antonio. 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 108 in Killeen and 96 in San Antonio. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $384 in San Antonio. 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 95 in San Antonio. 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 $53,420 in San Antonio. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $59,356 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,246/month in San Antonio. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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