Arlington, TX vs Killeen, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Killeen is 21% cheaper than Arlington. With a cost index of 83 vs 101, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Killeen to Arlington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,147/month in Killeen — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Killeen is more affordable at $196,000 median vs $276,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $58,339 in Killeen (+26%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.6% in Killeen.