The Local Guide · Killeen

Living in Killeen, Texas

Bell County's largest city sits right outside the gates of Fort Hood, with new neighborhoods growing on its south and west sides.

By the Magnolia Realty Temple-Belton Team · Updated September 2026

For a lot of people, Killeen is the first stop in Central Texas. Some arrive on orders for Fort Hood, and others come for the wide range of homes and prices. Either way, it is a big, busy city with more home sales than any other town in our part of Bell County, and it is only about 25 minutes west of our Belton office on I-14.

This guide covers what homes sell for in Killeen, the neighborhoods buyers ask us about most, how long it takes to get to post, and a few things to know before you buy. The numbers come from a full year of Killeen home sales.

Killeen at a Glance

Based on Central Texas MLS closed sales in Killeen, September 2025 to September 2026. Figures are rounded summaries, not appraisals, and do not reflect any individual sale.

A City Built Around Fort Hood

Killeen began in 1882 as a stop on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, named for railroad official Frank P. Killeen. For decades it was a small farming town. That changed in 1942, when the Army opened Camp Hood next door, and the town grew right along with the post.

Today, Fort Hood is still the heart of the local economy. The post was called Fort Cavazos from 2023 to 2025 before returning to the Fort Hood name. Killeen is also home to Texas A&M University-Central Texas and Central Texas College, and Killeen Regional Airport (GRK) sits on the southwest side of town, next to West Fort Hood.

In Killeen, your budget goes a long way, and the gate is never far.

Killeen Neighborhoods

Killeen is spread out, and most of its growth over the past 20 years has happened south of US 190. Here are the neighborhoods buyers ask us about most, grouped by where they sit around town.

West and Southwest

These neighborhoods sit on the side of town closest to the Clear Creek gate and West Fort Hood. Several are still building.

• Mitchell Farms: New construction on the far southwest side of town. Homes here sold faster than in any other Killeen neighborhood in this guide, in about four weeks. Most homes sold between $260K and $290K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• McGregor Estates: New homes on the west side of Killeen. Most homes sold between $285K and $355K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Bridgewood: An established neighborhood on the west side, with homes built in the late 2000s. Most homes sold between $210K and $260K, built 2006 to 2010, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Goodnight Ranch: A southwest neighborhood that has grown in phases since the mid-2000s. About 3 in 10 sales this past year were new construction. Most homes sold between $235K and $285K, built 2006 to 2025, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.
• Victory Ranch: A new-home community on the southwest side, where homes sold in about five weeks this past year. Most homes sold between $255K and $280K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Levy Crossing: New construction on the southwest side, at a slightly higher price point than most new homes in town. Most homes sold between $295K and $370K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.

South Killeen

The area between Stan Schlueter Loop and Chaparral Road has been the busiest part of town for new homes, with quick access to Highway 195.

• Turnbo Ranch: Killeen's busiest neighborhood this past year, with nearly 100 sales, all of them new construction, on the far south side of town. Most homes sold between $270K and $335K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Yowell Ranch: One of Killeen's busiest neighborhoods, off Stagecoach Road, with a mix of homes from the 2010s and newer phases still building. Most homes sold between $255K and $305K, built 2011 to 2025, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Trimmier Estates: An established south-side neighborhood with larger floor plans, around 2,100 square feet, at one of the lower prices per square foot in town. Most homes sold between $220K and $280K, built 2007 to 2014, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.
• The Highlands at Saegert Ranch: Homes built in the mid-2000s in south Killeen, with among the most square footage for the price in this guide. Most homes sold between $215K and $265K, built 2004 to 2006, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.
• Preserve at Thousand Oaks: Newly built homes on the south side. Most homes sold between $275K and $320K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.

Southeast, Toward Harker Heights

The southeast side offers some of Killeen's larger homes and is an easy drive to shopping and dining in Harker Heights.

• White Rock Estates: Established homes from the late 2000s on the southeast side, with larger floor plans and lots around a quarter acre. Most homes sold between $280K and $365K, built 2006 to 2012, typical lot about a quarter acre.
• Heritage Oaks: Larger homes on the southeast side, with a mix of recent resales and new construction. Most homes sold between $385K and $590K, built 2019 to 2026, typical lot about a quarter acre.
• Herring Legacy Estates: Some of the largest new homes in Killeen, on the southeast side. Most homes sold between $430K and $615K, built 2023 to 2026, typical lot about a third of an acre.

Killeen also has plenty of older, established neighborhoods, with homes from the 1960s through the 1990s that often sold for under $200,000 this past year.

Search all Killeen homes for sale →

Killeen Home Prices by Neighborhood

Here is how Killeen's most active neighborhoods compared over the past year.

Based on Central Texas MLS closed sales in Killeen, September 2025 to September 2026. Ranges show where the middle half of sales fell, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Neighborhoods with fewer than 15 sales are not shown. Figures are rounded summaries, not appraisals, and do not reflect any individual sale.

New Construction in Killeen

About 2 in 10 Killeen homes sold this past year were built in 2024 or later. New homes sold for a typical price of about $290,000, compared with about $220,000 for resale homes, and they sold a little faster, in about seven weeks. The busiest new-home communities were Turnbo Ranch, Levy Crossing, Victory Ranch, McGregor Estates and Mitchell Farms.

Comparing builders, incentives and lots is where having your own agent pays off. Our new construction guide walks through what to know before you visit a model home.

Killeen, Belton or Temple?

Killeen offers more house for the money than Temple or Belton. Over the past year, the typical home sold for about $235,000 in Killeen, compared with about $270,000 in Temple and about $320,000 in Belton. Killeen homes averaged about $140 per square foot, compared with about $155 in Temple and $170 in Belton.

If you are weighing your options, our guide to buying near Fort Hood compares the towns around post, and our Belton guide and Temple guide cover those cities in detail.

Getting Around

• Fort Hood main gate (T.J. Mills Blvd): about 10 to 20 minutes from most Killeen neighborhoods
• Harker Heights: about 10 minutes east on US 190
• Belton: about 25 minutes east on I-14
• Temple and Baylor Scott & White: about 35 minutes east
• Killeen Regional Airport (GRK): about 10 to 20 minutes from most of town
• Austin: about 1 hour and 15 minutes south, depending on traffic

Drive times vary with traffic and gate lines, so try your commute at the time you would actually be driving it.

Tips for Buying in Killeen

• Map your gate, not just the post. Fort Hood is big, and the gate you use each day can change your commute by 15 minutes or more. Pick neighborhoods based on where you will actually be working.
• Compare new builds carefully. Builder incentives, lot premiums and included features vary widely from one community to the next. Your own agent can compare them side by side at no cost to you.
• Look at the full tax rate. Some newer neighborhoods include a special district, like a PID, that adds to the property tax rate. Check the Bell County Appraisal District and ask for an estimate of your full monthly payment.
• Think ahead to your next move. Many owners near Fort Hood keep their home as a rental after they PCS. If that might be you, it is worth talking through rent potential before you buy.
• Ask about flood zones. Nolan Creek and its tributaries run through parts of Killeen. Check a home's flood zone and insurance needs before you make an offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do homes cost in Killeen, TX?

Over the past year, the typical Killeen home sold for about $235,000, and most homes sold between about $195,000 and $285,000.

What school district serves Killeen?

Nearly all Killeen homes are served by Killeen ISD. Always confirm school assignments for a specific address with the district.

How far is Killeen from Fort Hood?

Most Killeen neighborhoods are about 10 to 20 minutes from the Fort Hood main gate, depending on where you live and which gate you use.

What are the most popular neighborhoods in Killeen?

By number of sales this past year, the most active were Turnbo Ranch, Yowell Ranch, Goodnight Ranch and Bridgewood.

Is there new construction in Killeen?

Yes. About 2 in 10 Killeen home sales this past year were homes built in 2024 or later, in neighborhoods like Turnbo Ranch, Levy Crossing, Victory Ranch, McGregor Estates and Mitchell Farms.

Is Killeen cheaper than Belton or Temple?

On average, yes. The typical home sold for about $235,000 in Killeen this past year, compared with about $270,000 in Temple and about $320,000 in Belton.