Moving from Dallas, TX to Killeen, TX
Relocating between Dallas, TX and Killeen, TX is a 155 mi drive — 2h 46m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
155 mi · 2h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 35, I 14 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.6% moving from Dallas to Killeen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $309,421 in Dallas to $219,957 in Killeen, a 11.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 68.0°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.61 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.6% lower in Killeen than Dallas.
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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 96°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.
Frequently asked
Is Killeen more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 11.6% lower than Dallas (91.132 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 28.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Killeen, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 155 mi and the route typically takes 2h 46m via I 35E and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 68.0°F in Dallas (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 38.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 155 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Killeen, TX.