Moving from San Antonio, TX to Killeen, TX
It is a 145 mi drive, roughly 2h 46m, between San Antonio, TX and Killeen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
145 mi · 2h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, TX 195, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
San Antonio and Killeen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Killeen run about 3.8% cheaper — ZHVI $249,810 → $219,957 (2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 69.0°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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.61 |
Households in Killeen earn about 3.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
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
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 7.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 34.0 in.
Is Killeen more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 3.8% lower than San Antonio (91.132 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Killeen, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 145 mi and the route typically takes 2h 46m via I 35 and TX 195. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 145 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 12.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Killeen, TX.