Moving from Wichita, KS to Killeen, TX
It is 503 mi between Wichita and Killeen — roughly 8h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
503 mi · 8h 48m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, OK 9 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 88.946 vs 91.132 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.5% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 34.8" |
Annual temperature rises 8.9°F moving to Killeen per NOAA normals.
Killeen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.61 |
Households in Killeen earn about 2.5% 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.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 8.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Killeen, TX from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 503 mi and the route typically takes 8h 48m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wichita 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 503 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Killeen more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 2.5% higher than Wichita (91.132 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 57.7°F in Wichita (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 34.3 in.
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 7.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · Killeen, TX.