El Paso wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: El Paso vs Killeen (2026)
A $60,000 salary in El Paso buys roughly what $62,250 does in Killeen (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$317/yr
Favoring El Paso for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $26/mo in El Paso, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | El Paso Texas | Killeen Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Better | $850 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,050 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,400 | — | — |
| Median home price | $215KBetter | $215K | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 92 | El Paso wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $46 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40 | $38Better | Killeen wins −$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162 | $160Better | Killeen wins −$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $170Better | Killeen wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48K | $50KBetter | Killeen wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32 | $30Better | Killeen wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00 | $4.50Better | Killeen wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 80Better | 83 | El Paso wins +3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Wins | 18 | El Paso wins -10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
El Paso fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in El Paso.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Killeen?
Yes. El Paso is 4% cheaper than Killeen based on overall cost of living indices (80 vs 83, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in El Paso vs Killeen?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,050/month and in Killeen is $1,050/month. El Paso is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Killeen to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $77,813/year in Killeen to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — El Paso or Killeen?
Killeen has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Killeen has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from El Paso to Killeen?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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