Living in Temple, TX
Temple is the 350th-largest city in the US, home to about 98,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 19.7% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 98,412+19.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $239,0003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,231/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $68,204median, per year
- Price level
- 91.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 60° / 95°lows 36° / 72°
- Average commute
- 21 min11% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Bell County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 719 ft
Metro area: Killeen-Temple, TX
Cost of living in Temple
The median home in Temple is worth $239,000 and the median household earns $68,204 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,231 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area at 91.1, with housing at 77.9 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,300 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Temple?
Temple weather
Average highs run from 60°F in January to 95°F in July, and January nights average 36°F. It gets 37 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Temple
People and work
The median resident is 33.8 years old, and 31% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.8122nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 31%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 52%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,34773.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 16%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1991median year
Who moves to Temple, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Antonio (Bexar County), Houston (Harris County) and El Paso (El Paso County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to San Antonio (Bexar County), Houston (Harris County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Bell County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, tornado, winter weather, hail.
Home prices
+1.7% in a year
Up 39% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Killeen-Temple, TX area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
66% good days
4 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Killeen-Temple, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Temple
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Central Texas College 27 miles
- Temple College in Temple
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 6 miles
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas 24 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Temple
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Killeen Regional Airport GRK | 27 mi | 117,523 |
| Waco Regional Airport ACT | 38 mi | 53,849 |
| Austin-Bergstrom International Airport AUS | 63 mi | 10,678,073 |
| Easterwood Airport CLL | 68 mi | 68,316 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Temple
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple College | in town | 3,178 | $8,451 | 33% |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | 6 mi | 2,759 | $29,143 | 47% |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | 24 mi | 1,750 | $4,107 | 33% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Temple
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 14, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 8 and the first frost comes around November 20.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Temple.
Wildfire smoke in Temple
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Temple on about 148 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Temple
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 34,514 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Temple
Downtown Temple is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Independent School District | Pre-K to 12 | 8,764 | 16 | 14.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Belton Independent School District (13,697 students), Salado Independent School District (2,429 students), Academy Independent School District (1,832 students), Troy Independent School District (1,732 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Temple's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Temple's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Augusta, GA80% matchCompare
- Columbia, SC79% matchCompare
- Columbus, GA77% matchCompare
- Savannah, GA75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Temple
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Temple
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 60°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+19.7% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 118 days a year reach 90°F.
Temple report card from locals
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Cities near Temple
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 22 mi | 161,883 | $215,400 | 91.1 | Compare |
| Round Rock, TX | 32 mi | 141,282 | $418,600 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Georgetown, TX | 35 mi | 106,907 | $429,100 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Waco, TX | 35 mi | 147,788 | $221,700 | 92.6 | Compare |
| Leander, TX | 45 mi | 91,132 | $506,200 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Cedar Park, TX | 48 mi | 79,032 | $513,600 | 98.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Temple with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Temple a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, short commutes; the trade-offs are 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Temple side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Temple?
The Census Bureau estimates Temple had 98,412 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 82,244 in April 2020 (+19.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Temple?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,300 in the Temple area. The median household here earns $68,204.
When is the best time to visit Temple?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 95°F and January 60°F for daytime highs.
What county is Temple in?
Temple is in Bell County, Texas. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Temple in?
Temple is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Temple?
About 719 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Temple. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.