Killeen vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Killeen
Wilmington
The Verdict
Living in Killeen costs 18.4% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $91,964 in Wilmington.
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 $91,964 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,165 in Killeen.
Living in Killeen vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $320,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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