City in Bell County, part of the Killeen metro
Living in Temple, TX
66th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 17 of 100
14th of 15 in the Killeen area
Temple earns a grade of D on our index, 66th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on errands and things to do and health.
- Affordable
- Fast-growing
- Errands and things to do scores low (11 of 100)
- Health scores low (13 of 100)
- Population
- 98,412+19.7% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,23112% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $239,00016% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $68,204Median
- Average commute
- 21 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
About Temple
Temple started in 1880 as a railroad construction camp for the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, and it was named for the line's chief engineer, Bernard Moore Temple. The town was incorporated in 1882. It sits in Bell County on Interstate 35, about 68 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco, with Killeen about 27 miles to the west.
Medicine is the big industry. Baylor Scott & White runs its largest medical center here, Temple also has the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, and a Texas A&M College of Medicine campus. McLane Company and Wilsonart are other well known employers, along with several distribution centers along I-35. Most daily driving happens on I-35, which ties Temple to Austin and Waco. Rail is still part of the town's identity. Amtrak's Texas Eagle stops here, and the old Santa Fe depot houses the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. Temple College has been open since 1926.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
What it's like to live in Temple
Temple sits about 20 miles from downtown Killeen, in the Killeen-Temple metro. 98,412 people lived here in 2025, up 19.7% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.
Local spots people know include Ferguson Park, Lions Park and Temple Lake Park.
The median age is 33.8, 33% of households have children, 52% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $68,204 a year (13% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Temple
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,231, 12% lower than the Texas median.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Growing fast. The population grew 20% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Temple
- Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and winter storms as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Temple suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 44% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 13% lower than the Texas median, with 329 restaurants and 32 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 17% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,231 is 12% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,231 is 12% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for people on a budget.
Temple report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Temple with other US cities of 50,000+ people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.
Cost of living: grade A-
Median rent $1,231, homes cost 3.5x income.
81 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $68,204, 6.6% unemployed.
21 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade D+
23 rated campuses, 44% rated A or B.
31 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: no grade
No full year of crime data from local police.
No score vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade D-
16 grocery stores, 329 restaurants, 64 parks mapped in town.
11 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade C-
Average commute 21 min, 11% work from home.
35 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade C-
31% have a bachelor’s degree.
34 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D-
17% of adults uninsured.
13 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade D+
52% of homes owner-occupied.
30 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade D+
90% of homes have broadband.
26 of 100 vs US cities
Where Temple stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Average commute: 21 min21% lower than Texas (27 min)
- Median rent: $1,23112% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 17%3 points lower than Texas (20%)
Worse than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 52%10 points lower than Texas (63%)
- Median household income: $68,20413% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 31%3 points lower than Texas (34%)
Cost of living in Temple
Temple renters pay a median of $1,231 a month, 12% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $49,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 50% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $927 for a one-bedroom, $1,138 for a two-bedroom and $1,576 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 $239,000, 16% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,308 before tax, or $1,621 with property tax. That is $390 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 property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Temple pays $3,749 a year, 11% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Temple
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent12% lower than Texas | $1,231 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value16% lower than Texas | $239,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income3% lower than Texas | 3.5x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent1 points lower than Texas | 50% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year11% lower than Texas | $3,749 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them10 points lower than Texas | 52% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1991 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,308
- Property tax
- $312
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,231
Based on a $239,000 home in Temple, 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.
Schools in Temple
Temple has 23 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 44% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Belton ISD and Temple ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Lakewood Elementary and Lake Belton High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 78 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- ALakewood ElementaryElementary, Belton ISD93 of 100
- ALake Belton High SchoolHigh, Belton ISD90 of 100
- BCharter Oak ElementaryElementary, Belton ISD88 of 100
- BKennedy-Powell ElementaryElementary, Temple ISD87 of 100
- BLake Belton MiddleMiddle, Belton ISD87 of 100
Best neighborhoods in Temple
We grade 11 areas inside Temple. The top three are Lakewood Ranch (B+), North Temple (B) and Northwest Temple (B-). If price matters most, Northeast Temple has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,060 a month. Lakewood Ranch is the priciest, at $1,910. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.
Rank Temple neighborhoods your way
What matters to you?
Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.
The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.
- 1B+Lakewood Ranch3,181 people, median rent $1,910, home $333,000100fit
- 2BNorth Temple1,586 people, median rent $1,760, home $302,00090fit
- 3B-Northwest Temple6,641 people, median rent $1,740, home $337,00080fit
- 4C+Wyndham Hill7,125 people, median rent $1,620, home $248,00070fit
- 5C+Southwest Temple1,999 people, median rent $1,170, home $234,00060fit
- 6C+Northeast Temple6,444 people, median rent $1,060, home $153,00050fit
- 7CWest Temple12,031 people, median rent $1,730, home $289,00040fit
- 8C-South Temple13,366 people, median rent $1,470, home $296,00030fit
- 9D+Central Temple26,159 people, median rent $1,220, home $203,00020fit
- 10DEast Temple2,721 people, median rent $730, home $157,00010fit
- 11D-Southeast Temple8,354 people, median rent $1,120, home $160,0000fit
All 11 Temple neighborhoods, A to Z
- Central Temple (D+)
- East Temple (D)
- Lakewood Ranch (B+)
- North Temple (B)
- Northeast Temple (C+)
- Northwest Temple (B-)
- South Temple (C-)
- Southeast Temple (D-)
- Southwest Temple (C+)
- West Temple (C)
- Wyndham Hill (C+)
Daily life in Temple
Everyday places mapped inside Temple, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Ferguson Park, Lions Park, Temple Lake Park.
The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 21% shorter than the Texas average. 11% 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 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Temple work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $68,204, income per person is $34,319, unemployment is 6.6% and 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income13% lower than Texas | $68,204 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person16% lower than Texas | $34,319 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate1 points higher than Texas | 6.6% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas | 16% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher3 points lower than Texas | 31% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points higher than Texas | 88% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas | 17% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet1 points lower than Texas | 90% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute21% lower than Texas | 21 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas | 11% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Temple
Median age 33.8 years. 33% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Temple
Temple has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 118 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Stillhouse Hollow Dam, 10 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- HurricanesHigh
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresHigh
- Winter stormsVery high
- Strong windModerate
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 Temple
Nearby, Morgan's Point Resort gets a B, Belton gets a D and Little River-Academy gets a B+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- BMorgan's Point ResortTown, 4,750 people6 mi
- DBeltonSmall city, 24,356 people7 mi
- B+Little River-AcademyTown, 2,233 people7 mi
- BTroyTown, 2,844 people9 mi
- B-NolanvilleTown, 6,690 people14 mi
- A-SaladoTown, 2,225 people14 mi
Temple 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
- 11CGatesville16,228 people25 mito downtown
- 12C-Rogers1,303 people31 mito downtown
- 13DBelton24,356 people15 mito downtown
- 14DTemple89,602 people20 mito downtown
- 15FKilleen158,159 people0 mito downtown
Living in Temple: common questions
Is Temple, TX a good place to live?
Temple earns a grade of D on our index, 66th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on errands and things to do and health.
How much does it cost to live in Temple?
Renters in Temple pay a median of $1,231 a month, 12% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $239,000, 16% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.5x 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 $1,621, including property tax.
Is Temple safe?
In 2025, Temple Police Department reported 9 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 98% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 62 per 100,000, 97% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.
Are the schools good in Temple?
We found 23 rated public school campuses inside Temple. 44% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 31 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.
What are the best neighborhoods in Temple?
Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Temple are Lakewood Ranch, North Temple and Northwest Temple. We score 11 areas in the city.
Does Temple flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Temple as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires and winter storms. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Temple?
Summers in Temple peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Temple?
The average one-way commute is 21 min, 21% lower than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 20 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.