Cost to Own
United States › Texas › Bell County › Killeen Population 156,144 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $803 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Bell County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Killeen, Texas

A $196,000 home here costs

$1,889

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $81,000 a year.

P&I 57%Tax 14%Insurance 7%Utilities 13%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,086. The real number is $803 higher every month, 74% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Bell County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Killeen median: $196,000
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
TX average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $156,800 borrowed $1,086
Property tax1.642% effective rate for Killeen itself $268
Homeowners insuranceTexas averages $2,124/yr (NAIC), or 0.794% of home value $130
Electricity15.88ยข/kWh, Texas residential average, EIA $174
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $163
Total monthly $1,889

Killeen against Bell County and Texas

MeasureKilleenBell County
Median home value$196,000$221,100
Median property tax$3,218$3,409
Effective tax rate1.642%1.542%
Median gross rent$1,147$1,168
Population156,144379,811

The weather behind that power bill

Killeen sits in Bell County, which averages a high of 96.0°F in its hottest month and a low of 35.7°F in its coldest, with 36.97" of precipitation a year and 31% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 2,630 cooling and 2,032 heating degree days, which is what sets the $174 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Bell County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Bell County

Full Bell County cost breakdown · Every county in Texas

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Killeen averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Killeen every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Killeen I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Killeen?

A $196,000 home in Killeen, Texas costs approximately $1,889 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $1,086 principal and interest, $268 property tax, $130 homeowners insurance, $242 utilities and $163 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Killeen?

Killeen has an effective property tax rate of 1.642%, based on a median home value of $196,000 and median real estate taxes of $3,218. That is higher than the Bell County average of 1.542%.

What is the average home price in Killeen?

The median owner-occupied home value in Killeen, Texas is $196,000, against $221,100 across Bell County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Killeen?

Median gross rent in Killeen is $1,147 a month, against $1,889 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Killeen?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Killeen, Texas at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $81,000 a year. That covers the full $1,889 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Killeen, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Texas.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology