Where to Live in
Killeen

The 2026 Killeen Neighborhood Shortlist

The secret is out, and the map is being redrawn. Killeen isn't just that town next to the base anymore; it's becoming a magnet for folks priced out of Austin and Waco. The new H-E-B on Trimmier Road is our unofficial border wall between the old-school areas and the new money trickling in. Gentrification is here, but it’s messy. You’ll see a half-million-dollar build right next to a 1970s ranch that needs a total gut. The vibe is shifting from pure military town to something with a foothold in the civilian world, but make no mistake, the base still runs the show. If you’re looking for quiet, suburban bliss without the price tag of a major metro, you’re in the right place. Just know you’ll be sharing the roads with a convoy of tactical vehicles on some days.

The 2026 Shortlist

Detailed Profiles

Oakhill

• The Vibe: Quiet & Established
• Rent Check: You’re paying a premium. Expect $1,000-$1,200 for a decent 1BR, $1,600+ for a house.
• The Good: This is the city’s best-kept secret for a reason. You’re tucked away from the main arteries. The streets like W.S. Young Drive have canopy-sized trees, and the yards are actual yards, not postage stamps. It’s zoned for Killeen High School, which is a step above. You’re a 5-minute drive from Conder Park for a quiet walk, and you avoid the worst of the Fort Hood traffic.
• The Bad: The inventory is old. You’re looking at houses built in the 60s and 70s, so expect original plumbing and HVAC unless they’ve been flipped. There are zero apartments here; it’s all single-family rentals, so you need to be quick.
• Best For: A family that wants space and quiet, or a senior NCO/Officer who’s done with the apartment life but isn't ready to buy yet.
• Insider Tip: Drive down Elms Road between W.S. Young and Trimmier. You’ll see the split-levels and brick ranchers that define the neighborhood.

West Fort Hood

• The Vibe: Base-Adjacent Hustle
• Rent Check: Below average, but variable. $750-$900 is standard for a 1BR.
• The Good: The commute is a non-issue. You can roll out of bed and be at the Fort Hood main gate in 10 minutes. The area is packed with quick-grab spots like Taco Villa and the original Mr. G’s Pizza. There’s a raw energy here; it’s all young soldiers, their families, and the businesses that serve them. It’s easy to find a roommate, and the cash economy is strong.
• The Bad: It’s loud. You’ll hear the helicopters, the morning cannon, and the general chaos of a massive military installation. The housing stock is tired—mostly 2/1 apartments and small houses that have been beaten to hell for decades. Crime isn't Chicago, but it's higher than the rest of the city due to density and youthful recklessness.
• Best For: The single E-5 who wants to be off-post but still in the mix, or anyone whose priority is a zero-stress commute to the base.
• Insider Tip: Look for rentals on Cpl. Christophe M. Adair Ave or anything off Elms Road near the 101st Airborne Division gate. The dive bars along Rancier Avenue are where the real business happens.

Trimmier Corridor

• The Vibe: Up-and-Coming
• Rent Check: Right at the average. $850-$950 for a 1BR.
• The Good: This is the bet. You’re right on the spine of the city's commercial growth. The new H-E-B is a game-changer for groceries, and you’re minutes from the retail on Stan Schlueter Loop. The schools are decent, and you get more house for your money than in Oakhill. It’s the sweet spot between the base and the "nice" side of town. The new apartment complexes are modern, actually.
• The Bad: The traffic on Trimmier Road during peak hours is a nightmare. It’s a constant construction zone. You’re also right on the edge of the less desirable apartments; you need to know which complexes to avoid (ask a local).
• Best For: First-time homebuyers or young professionals who want to be close to everything without paying the Oakhill tax.
• Insider Tip: The real value is in the older neighborhoods off Trimmier Road between Covey Drive and Cochran Village Drive. You can still find a 3/2 with a big lot that hasn't been priced out yet.

Harker Heights

• The Vibe: Suburban Escape
• Rent Check: Premium. $1,000-$1,300 for a 1BR.
• The Good: It’s not Killeen. It feels cleaner, more manicured, and less chaotic. The schools are run by a separate ISD and are generally better-rated. You get actual sidewalks and parks like Harker Heights City Park that are well-maintained. The retail hub at Nolanville Drive and Central Texas Expressway has everything you need without having to cross back into Killeen proper.
• The Bad: You’re paying for the separation. The commute to the main gate of Fort Hood is an extra 15-20 minutes each way, and that adds up when you’re pulling staff duty. It’s also a longer drive to the best bars and restaurants in Killeen.
• Best For: Military command staff, established families with school-age kids, and anyone who says "I don't want to live in Killeen."
• Insider Tip: The sweet spot is the neighborhood off Indian Trail. It feels like a completely different world, but you’re still 5 minutes from the H-E-B.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Oakhill is the winner, full stop. The combination of established yards, older construction (better made, generally), and access to Conder Park is unmatched. If you need better schools and can stomach the commute, Harker Heights is your only other real option. Avoid the areas directly around Killeen High School; the traffic is a safety nightmare for kids.

• For Wall St / Tech: You're likely remote or commuting to Austin. Live in Harker Heights. It has the most professional polish and the fewest reminders that you're in a military town. It’ll help you mentally detach. If you want to be closer to the airport and the main arteries for Austin trips, the Trimmier Corridor offers modern housing with better access to H-Killeen Airport (HLR).

• The Value Play: Trimmier Corridor. Specifically, the older homes on the south side of Trimmier Road. The H-E-B and continued growth of Killeen ISD are pushing prices this way. Buy a small house, hold it for 5 years, and you'll see significant appreciation as the development wave crests. West Fort Hood is too saturated and transient to see real appreciation.