Moving from Killeen, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Killeen, TX to Austin, TX covers 64 mi and about 1h 15m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
64 mi · 1h 15m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 195, I 35, LOOP 1 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.6% pricier overall in Austin than Killeen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 7.6% above Killeen at $219,957 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 36.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 70.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 30 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 7.6% above Killeen ($58,339 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin average 97°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 Killeen vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 56.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 7.6% higher than Killeen (98.066 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 64 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 131.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 66.6°F in Killeen (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 34.8 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 64 mi and the route typically takes 1h 15m via TX 195 and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 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 · Austin, TX.