Moving from Atlanta, GA to Killeen, TX
It is 878 mi between Atlanta and Killeen β roughly 16h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
878 mi Β· 16h 9m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.9% moving from Atlanta to Killeen β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $385,599 in Atlanta to $219,957 in Killeen, a 8.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.3Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 34 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.61 |
Killeen households earn about 8.9% less than Atlanta at the median β $81,938 β $58,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 43.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 878 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Killeen, TX from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 878 mi and the route typically takes 16h 9m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 28.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Killeen more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 8.9% lower than Atlanta (91.132 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Killeen, TX.