Belton vs Temple: which is better to live in?
Belton gets D overall and Temple gets D. Belton comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
Belton wins on jobs and income, errands and things to do and getting around. Temple wins on cost of living, schools, education levels, health and internet access.
Belton suits young professionals better, while Temple suits families, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Belton | Temple | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D | D |
| Population | 25,964 | 98,412 |
| Growth since 2020 | +12.7% | +19.7% |
| Median rent | $1,252 | $1,231 |
| Median home value | $258,700 | $239,000 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,753 | $1,621 |
| Median household income | $59,130 | $68,204 |
| Property tax per year | $4,038 | $3,749 |
| Violent crime per 100k | Not available | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | Not available | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 46% | 44% |
| Average commute | 23 min | 21 min |
| Work from home | 11% | 11% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 28% | 31% |
| Median age | 32.4 years | 33.8 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 118 | 118 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Low |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Belton | Temple | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (30) | A- (81) |
| Jobs and income | C (41) | D (21) |
| Schools | D+ (27) | D+ (31) |
| Safety | n/a | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | C (46) | D- (11) |
| Getting around | B+ (78) | C- (35) |
| Education levels | D+ (27) | C- (34) |
| Health | F (8) | D- (13) |
| Home ownership | D+ (30) | D+ (30) |
| Internet access | D- (11) | D+ (26) |
Cost of living
Overall costs are close between the two.
Median rent is about the same: $1,252 a month in Belton and $1,231 in Temple.
The median home is worth $258,700 in Belton and $239,000 in Temple. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,753 a month against $1,621, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 4.4 times income in Belton and 3.5 times in Temple.
Commute and location
Commutes average 23 minutes in Belton and 21 in Temple.
The two are about 7 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 46% of Belton's 11 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 44% of Temple's 23.
Common questions
Is Belton or Temple better to live in?
Belton grades higher overall (D vs D). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Belton cheaper than Temple?
They cost about the same to live in.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.