Lancaster vs Killeen: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Lancaster, California compare to Killeen, Texas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Killeen is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 110% higher in Lancaster compared to Killeen, while rent is 45% higher. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Killeen, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $368,800 | $175,400 | +110.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576 | $1,084 | +45.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $71,367 | $57,086 | +25.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $28,082 | $28,002 | same |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.2% | +5.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 171,465 | 153,708 | +11.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Lancaster
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Killeen
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Lancaster costs $368,800 compared to $175,400 in Killeen — a 110% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,576/mo in Lancaster vs $1,084/mo in Killeen.
- Income: Median household income is $71,367 in Lancaster and $57,086 in Killeen.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).