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

Killeen

Texas
75
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Killeen is 266% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,147/mo ↓ 63%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 167%
$58,339/yr ↓ 68%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 212%
$196,000 ↓ 89%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 827%
$1,176/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 156%
156,144
Population
153,455

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Killeen, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 75 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,918/month cheaper in Killeen, saving renters about $23,016/year.

Median household income is $123,523/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Killeen is $196,000 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Killeen or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Killeen is cheaper to live in with an index of 75 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Killeen and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Killeen is $1,147/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,918/month.
Which city has higher income, Killeen or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $58,339 in Killeen and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $123,523/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Killeen or Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Killeen has a cost index of 75 with median rent of $1,147/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Killeen details → View Sunnyvale details →