Moving from Killeen, TX to Houston, TX
The 198 mi from Killeen to Houston translate to about 3h 55m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
198 mi · 3h 55m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, TX 249 TOLL, FM 485 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, College Station |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.2% pricier overall in Houston than Killeen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 8.2% above Killeen at $219,957 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 30 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.51 |
Income steps up 8.2%: $58,339 in Killeen vs $62,894 in Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 66.6°F in Killeen (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 34.8 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 7.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 3h 55m via TX 6 and TX 249 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 8.2% higher than Killeen (98.629 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 20.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Houston, TX.