Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Killeen, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Killeen

Texas
75

Irvine is 241% more expensive than Killeen.

$2,893/mo ↑ 152%
Median Rent
$1,147/mo ↓ 60%
$129,647/yr ↑ 122%
Median Income
$58,339/yr ↓ 55%
$1,115,400 ↑ 469%
Home Value
$196,000 ↓ 82%
$2,904/mo ↑ 147%
Owner Costs
$1,176/mo ↓ 60%
308,160
Population
156,144

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Killeen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 75 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,746/month cheaper in Killeen, saving renters about $20,952/year.

Median household income is $71,308/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $196,000 in Killeen.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Killeen residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Killeen — common questions

Is Irvine or Killeen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Killeen is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Killeen?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Killeen it's $1,147/month — a difference of $1,746/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Killeen?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $58,339 in Killeen. Median household income is $71,308/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Killeen?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Killeen has a cost index of 75 with rent of $1,147/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Killeen details →

More Comparisons

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