Keller vs Watauga: which is better to live in?
Keller gets A+ overall and Watauga gets B+. Keller comes out ahead on our index.
Keller wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Watauga wins on cost of living, errands and things to do and getting around.
Keller suits families, young professionals and retirees better, while Watauga suits people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Keller | Watauga | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | A+ | B+ |
| Population | 46,078 | 22,981 |
| Growth since 2020 | +0.7% | -2.9% |
| Median rent | $2,144 | $1,982 |
| Median home value | $594,300 | $250,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $4,054 | $1,727 |
| Median household income | $174,950 | $91,171 |
| Property tax per year | $9,614 | $4,274 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 75 | 109 |
| Property crime per 100k | 533 | 961 |
| Schools rated A or B | 100% | 80% |
| Average commute | 27 min | 29 min |
| Work from home | 26% | 16% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 61% | 24% |
| Median age | 45.1 years | 36.2 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 108 | 98 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | High | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Keller | Watauga | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D (23) | C (46) |
| Jobs and income | A+ (98) | C (47) |
| Schools | A (94) | B- (59) |
| Safety | A (90) | B+ (72) |
| Errands and things to do | B+ (73) | A (95) |
| Getting around | D- (13) | D- (14) |
| Education levels | A (92) | D+ (28) |
| Health | A- (81) | D+ (25) |
| Home ownership | A (92) | B+ (78) |
| Internet access | A+ (96) | B+ (77) |
Cost of living
Watauga is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Keller: a median of $2,144 a month, 8% higher than Watauga's $1,982.
The median home is worth $594,300 in Keller and $250,500 in Watauga. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $4,054 a month against $1,727, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.4 times income in Keller and 2.7 times in Watauga.
Commute and location
Commutes average 27 minutes in Keller and 29 in Watauga.
The two are about 5 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Keller has less violent crime. Keller reported 75 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Watauga reported 109 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 100% of Keller's 10 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 80% of Watauga's 5.
Common questions
Is Keller or Watauga better to live in?
Keller grades higher overall (A+ vs B+). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Keller cheaper than Watauga?
No. Watauga has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Keller or Watauga?
Keller, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
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.