Cost of Living in Temple, TX

Population 86,358 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Temple stay well under national norms: a median home value of $220,000 against median household incomes of $64,945 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Texas. At 7.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 20 miles east of Killeen, Temple falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Killeen's $196,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 89

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Temple

The median home value in Temple is $220,300 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,174/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,945/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 78.6°F and lows of 55.6°F. Overall, Temple has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$220,300
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$248,496
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
11% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,407/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 52.9%
Renter-occupied 47.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,174
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,788/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.7 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
11.1%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.6%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
9.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$64,945
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,841
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
49% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.5%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.8
Male median age 33.9
Female median age 33.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.6°F
Avg Low
55.6°F
Annual Precip
36.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 596370788593979791816960
Low °F 364047556371747467564638
Precip" 2.592.683.313.304.443.351.822.052.874.412.712.87
Snow" 0.00.40.10.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
63.3%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
119
PM2.5 days
246
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Temple, TX?

Temple has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in Temple, TX?

The median gross rent in Temple is $1,174 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Temple?

The median home value in Temple is $220,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Temple?

The median household income in Temple is $64,945 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Temple, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Temple is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Temple, TX affordable?

Yes, Temple is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Temple?

Temple has average high temperatures of 78.6°F and average lows of 55.6°F. Annual precipitation is 36.4". Average annual snowfall is 0.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Temple at a Glance

Population
86,358
Median Income
$64,945
Home Value
$220,300
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
Avg High Temp
78.6°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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