Moving from Killeen, TX to Brownsville, TX
It is a 396 mi drive, roughly 7h 36m, between Killeen, TX and Brownsville, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
396 mi Β· 7h 36m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 69E, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen, Corpus Christi, Austin, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Brownsville than Killeen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.7% under Killeen β $219,957 β $195,993 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Killeen | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | β |
Annual temperature rises 7.8Β°F moving to Brownsville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 30 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 3.21 |
Households in Brownsville earn about 5.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 Brownsville more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 5.7% lower than Killeen (85.975 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 396 mi and the route typically takes 7h 36m via US 77 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 396 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $219,957 in Killeen β a 10.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $58,339 in Killeen β a 16.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX Β· Brownsville, TX.