Moving from Killeen, TX to Denton, TX
The 182 mi from Killeen to Denton translate to about 3h 16m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
182 mi Β· 3h 16m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Fort Worth, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.1% pricier overall in Denton than Killeen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 13.1% above Killeen at $219,957 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Killeen | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 38.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 65.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 30 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.1% between Killeen and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Denton 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Denton compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $58,339 in Killeen β a 26.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Denton more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 13.1% higher than Killeen (103.09 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Denton, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 182 mi and the route typically takes 3h 16m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $219,957 in Killeen β a 61.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 182 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX Β· Denton, TX.