Homes for Sale in Killeen, TX: Listings, Neighborhoods & Market Data (2026)
by Levi Rodgers | Jun 4, 2026
LRG Realty · Bell County
Homes for Sale in Killeen, TX
Killeen sits in Bell County alongside Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), the largest active-duty armored post in the U.S. Military. The city of 156,000 draws military families, civilian defense workers, and first-time buyers looking for homes under $300K within an hour of Austin. Median sale prices near $230K, new construction in multiple master-planned communities, and Killeen ISD schools make it one of the most accessible markets in Central Texas.
Talk to an LRG Agent About Killeen →Market Data
Killeen Market Snapshot
Source: Redfin (sale price, DOM, sqft); RentCafe (rent). Snapshot data; verify before making purchase decisions.
Census ACS 5-Year
Killeen Demographics
Population, income, and housing tenure for the city and surrounding Bell County.
Housing Tenure & Population
Owner-occupiedRenter-occupied
City vs County
- Population156,144 / 379,811
- Median household income$58,339 / $66,051
- Median home value$215,400 / $221,100
- Median age30 yrs
- Population growth (2022–23)4.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
Drive Times
Killeen Commute Times
Approximate driving times from central Killeen. Peak times reflect weekday morning/evening commutes.
| Destination | Distance | Off-Peak | Rush Hour |
|---|
| Fort Cavazos (Main Gate) | ~10 mi | 15 min | 20–25 min |
| Temple | ~30 mi | 30–35 min | 35–45 min |
| Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport | ~8 mi | 12 min | 15–20 min |
| Downtown Austin | ~65 mi via US-190/I-35 | 60–70 min | 75–90 min |
| Austin-Bergstrom Airport (ABIA) | ~70 mi | 65–75 min | 80–95 min |
Approximate driving distances and times. Actual times vary by route, traffic, and conditions.
Buyer Briefing
Killeen at a Glance
Military anchor
Fort Cavazos is the largest active-duty armored post in the U.S. and the primary economic driver for Killeen and Bell County. The base employs over 50,000 soldiers and civilian workers.
Affordable entry point
Median sale prices near $230K make Killeen one of the most affordable markets within commuting distance of Austin. VA loan usage is among the highest in Texas due to the military population.
New construction available
Multiple master-planned communities in north and northwest Killeen offer new homes from the low $200s. Harker Heights and Belton provide alternative school districts at slightly higher price points.
Infrastructure note
Most properties inside Killeen city limits have city water and sewer. Properties in the ETJ or unincorporated Bell County may use well and septic. Always verify utility status before making an offer.
Property taxes
Bell County’s combined effective property tax rate is approximately 2.05% per $100 valuation when city, county, and Killeen ISD are combined. Texas has no state income tax.
Closing costs
Buyers in Bell County typically pay 2% to 4% of the purchase price in closing costs. Title insurance, appraisal, survey, and lender fees are the main components. Seller concessions are common in the current market.
Sources: Bell County Appraisal District, Killeen ISD, Fort Cavazos public affairs.
Costs & Timeline
What It Costs to Buy in Killeen
Median sale price
$230,000 as of May 2026. Prices range from under $150K for older construction near base gates to $350K+ for newer homes in Harker Heights and northwest Killeen master-planned communities.
Price per square foot
$135 per square foot median. Older 1980s-2000s homes near Fort Cavazos run $100–$120/sqft, while new construction in communities like Yowell Ranch averages $140–$160/sqft.
Property tax burden
Expect a combined rate near 2.05% of assessed value. On a $230K home, that’s roughly $4,700 per year before homestead exemption. The $100K school homestead exemption reduces the school-district portion.
HOA fees
Older Killeen neighborhoods generally have no HOA. Newer master-planned communities charge $30–$75/month. Harker Heights HOAs range $40–$100/month depending on amenities.
VA loan usage
Killeen has one of the highest VA loan utilization rates in Texas. Zero down payment, no PMI, and competitive rates make VA the dominant loan product. Sellers and builders are accustomed to VA transactions.
Rental comparison
Median rent is $1,250/month. A $230K purchase with VA financing (zero down, ~6.5% rate) produces a payment near $1,850 including taxes and insurance—about $600 more than renting but building equity.
Where to Look
Killeen-Area Neighborhoods
Harker Heights
Adjacent city with higher median incomes, newer construction, and strong schools. Popular with military officers and civilian defense workers.
Fort Cavazos area guide →
Skipcha / Clear Creek
Established neighborhoods in south Killeen near Skipcha Elementary. Mature trees, larger lots, and prices typically under $250K.
Talk to an agent →
Bridgewood / Yowell Ranch
Newer master-planned communities in northwest Killeen with Killeen ISD schools, HOA amenities, and homes from the low $200s.
Talk to an agent →
Stonetree / Trimmier
Affordable starter-home corridors along Trimmier Road. Mix of 1990s-2010s construction. Highest inventory density in the Killeen market.
Talk to an agent →
Copperas Cove
Smaller city west of Fort Cavazos with its own ISD. Rural-suburban feel, lower taxes, and an easy gate commute for military families.
Talk to an agent →
Nolanville / Belton
East-side options with Belton ISD schools (rated higher than KISD). Slightly longer commute to Fort Cavazos but growing quickly.
Talk to an agent →
Killeen is served primarily by Killeen ISD. Nearby Belton ISD and Copperas Cove ISD serve adjacent areas that many Killeen-area buyers also consider.
| School | Grades | Enrollment | District |
|---|
| Skipcha Elementary | PK-5 | ~550 | Killeen ISD |
| Meadows Elementary | PK-5 | ~620 | Killeen ISD |
| Bellaire Elementary | PK-5 | ~580 | Killeen ISD |
| Palo Alto Middle | 6-8 | ~850 | Killeen ISD |
| Liberty Hill Middle | 6-8 | ~900 | Killeen ISD |
| Killeen High School | 9-12 | ~2,100 | Killeen ISD |
| Shoemaker High School | 9-12 | ~2,000 | Killeen ISD |
| Ellison High School | 9-12 | ~2,200 | Killeen ISD |
| Harker Heights High School | 9-12 | ~2,100 | Killeen ISD |
| District | TEA Rating | Enrollment |
|---|
| Killeen ISD | B | ~46,000 |
| Belton ISD | A | ~14,000 |
| Copperas Cove ISD | B | ~8,500 |
Approximate enrollment figures. Verify exact campus assignment by property address via
Killeen ISD. Nearby
Belton ISD serves east-side addresses.
Browse Listings
Search Killeen Homes
Common Questions
Killeen Buyer FAQs
How far is Killeen from Austin?
Killeen is about 65 miles north of Austin via US-190 and I-35. Off-peak drive time is 60 to 70 minutes. Rush hour on I-35 through Temple and Belton can push it to 75 to 90 minutes.
Is Killeen a good place to buy a home?
For buyers who want affordable housing near a major military installation, yes. Median prices near $230K, strong VA loan infrastructure, and multiple new-construction neighborhoods make Killeen one of the most accessible markets in Central Texas. The tradeoff is a longer Austin commute and a market heavily tied to military spending.
What school districts serve Killeen?
Killeen ISD serves most of the city with about 46,000 students and a TEA rating of B. Nearby Belton ISD (rated A) serves east-side addresses and is a common reason buyers look at the Belton and Nolanville corridor.
How do property taxes work in Killeen?
Bell County’s combined effective rate is approximately 2.05% when city, county, and school district levies are combined. On a $230K home, that’s roughly $4,700 per year before the homestead exemption. Texas has no state income tax.
Is Killeen in a flood zone?
Most of Killeen sits outside high-risk FEMA flood zones. Some properties near Nolan Creek, the Lampasas River corridor, and low-lying areas along creeks may fall in AE or AH zones. Always check the FEMA flood map for the specific property address before making an offer.
