Town in Lampasas County, part of the Killeen metro
Living in Kempner, TX
121st of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 83 of 100
2nd of 15 in the Killeen area
We give Kempner an A-. It ranks 121st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on getting around and education levels. It is a strong pick for families and retirees.
- Good for families
- Good for retirees
- Low crime
- Fast-growing
- Population
- 1,297+12.8% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,04426% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $249,20012% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $75,357Median
- Average commute
- 31 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 0Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Kempner
Kempner sits about 14 miles from downtown Killeen, in the Killeen-Temple metro. 1,297 people lived here in 2025, up 12.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 47.6, 33% of households have children, 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $75,357 a year (about the same as the Texas median).
Pros of living in Kempner
- Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,044, 26% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Kempner
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 31 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Who Kempner suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 91% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 4 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 12% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 86% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 94% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,044 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 79% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,044 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for people on a budget.
Kempner report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Kempner with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade C
Median rent $1,044, homes cost 3.3x income.
47 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade B
Median household income $75,357, 5.3% unemployed.
67 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade B+
Not enough data.
74 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade A
0 violent crimes per 100k, 0 property crimes per 100k.
95 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
0 grocery stores, 4 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade D
Average commute 31 min, 19% work from home.
21 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D
13% have a bachelor’s degree.
23 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade C-
12% of adults uninsured.
36 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C+
74% of homes owner-occupied.
50 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade B+
94% of homes have broadband.
73 of 100 vs US towns
Where Kempner stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 74%11 points higher than Texas (63%)
- People below the poverty line: 2.5%11 points lower than Texas (14%)
- Median rent: $1,04426% lower than Texas ($1,403)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Average commute: 31 min17% higher than Texas (27 min)
- Median household income: $75,3574% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Kempner
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Kempner is $1,044 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $42,000 a year. Right now 43% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $249,200, 12% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,364 before tax, or $1,585 with property tax. That is $541 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.
Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Kempner pays $2,656 a year, 37% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent26% lower than Texas | $1,044 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value12% lower than Texas | $249,200 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income9% lower than Texas | 3.3x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent9 points lower than Texas | 43% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year37% lower than Texas | $2,656 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them11 points higher than Texas | 74% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1989 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,364
- Property tax
- $221
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,044
Based on a $249,200 home in Kempner, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Kempner safe?
In 2025, Kempner Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 0 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 0 property crimes per 100,000, 100% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 100% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Kempner Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Daily life in Kempner
Everyday places mapped inside Kempner, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park.
The average one-way commute is 31 minutes, 17% longer than the Texas average. 19% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Killeen is about 14 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Kempner work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $75,357, income per person is $38,061, unemployment is 5.3% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income4% lower than Texas | $75,357 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person7% lower than Texas | $38,061 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.3% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line11 points lower than Texas | 2.5% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas | 13% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher3 points higher than Texas | 89% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas | 12% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet3 points higher than Texas | 94% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute17% higher than Texas | 31 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home4 points higher than Texas | 19% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Kempner
Median age 47.6 years. 33% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Kempner
Kempner has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 106 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 32 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Lampasas, 13 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Kempner
Nearby, Copperas Cove gets a C+, Lampasas gets a C and Killeen gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- C+Copperas CoveSmall city, 37,947 people4 mi
- CLampasasTown, 7,671 people13 mi
- FKilleenCity, 158,159 people14 mi
- B-Harker HeightsSmall city, 34,128 people19 mi
- BFlorenceTown, 1,061 people19 mi
- B-NolanvilleTown, 6,690 people21 mi
Kempner in the Killeen area
How it ranks among 15 places in the metro.
- 1A-Salado2,225 people15 mito downtown
- 2A-Kempner1,215 people14 mito downtown
- 3B+Holland1,299 people24 mito downtown
- 4B+Little River-Academy2,233 people21 mito downtown
- 5BTroy2,844 people27 mito downtown
Living in Kempner: common questions
Is Kempner, TX a good place to live?
We give Kempner an A-. It ranks 121st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and schools, and trails on getting around and education levels. It is a strong pick for families and retirees.
How much does it cost to live in Kempner?
Median rent in Kempner is $1,044 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $249,200, 12% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.3x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,585, including property tax.
Is Kempner safe?
In 2025, Kempner Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
What is the weather like in Kempner?
Summers in Kempner peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 106 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 32 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Kempner?
The average one-way commute is 31 min, 17% higher than the Texas average. About 19% of workers work from home. It is about 14 miles from downtown Killeen.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.