I'm Taylor Dasch, a real estate agent with EG Realty and a real estate investor based right here in Temple, Texas. I've helped over 100 families buy and sell homes in Temple, Belton, Killeen, and Harker Heights over the past 5+ years — and I live, work, and invest in this market myself.
Whether you're relocating for a job at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, getting PCS'd to Fort Cavazos, looking for an affordable alternative to Austin, or exploring Central Texas as a rental property investor — this guide covers everything you need to know before making your move.
I update this page regularly with the latest data so you're never working with outdated information.
Why People Are Moving to Temple, Texas
Temple is one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Texas, with a current population of approximately 96,267 — a 16.27% increase since 2020. The city is growing at about 3.14% per year, and there's good reason for that.
Here's what's driving the growth: Temple sits right on the I-35 corridor between Austin (about 70 miles south) and Waco (35 miles north). You get small-city affordability with big-city access. The median age here is around 33 years old, which tells you this isn't just a retirement town — young families and mid-career professionals are planting roots here.
The short version? Temple gives you a 13–17% lower cost of living than the national average, a healthcare job market anchored by one of the best hospital systems in Texas, and a housing market where $285,000 buys you a quality home that would cost $525,000+ in Austin.
Cost of Living in Temple TX vs. Austin, Dallas & San Antonio
This is the biggest factor for most people considering a move to Temple. Here's how it breaks down with real numbers:
Housing Costs
The median home price in Temple is approximately $285,000 as of January 2026. Compare that to Austin at $525,000, Dallas at $415,000, and San Antonio at $357,000. That's not a small difference — you're looking at roughly 50% less than Austin for comparable square footage.
If you're renting, the average rent in Temple is around $1,374/month, well below the national average of $1,901. A three-bedroom home typically rents for $1,200 to $1,300/month.
Groceries & Everyday Expenses
Grocery costs in Temple run about 5–8% below the national average. Everyday items like gasoline average around $2.77/gallon. A pizza runs about $8.88 compared to $11.63 in San Antonio.
Healthcare Costs
This one surprises people. Despite having world-class medical facilities, healthcare costs in Temple are significantly lower than other Texas cities. A standard doctor visit averages $105.32 in Temple versus $144.32 in San Antonio — that's 37% less.
Utilities
Energy costs average about $225/month in Temple, which is higher than San Antonio's $159/month average. This is the one category where Temple doesn't win on price, but it's typically offset by savings in housing and healthcare.
Bottom Line
Temple's overall cost of living index sits at approximately 86.9, compared to 100 for the national average, 111 for Austin, and 107 for Dallas. Your dollar goes further here — period.
Major Employers in Temple & Bell County
Temple's economy isn't built on one industry. It's anchored by healthcare, military, and logistics — three sectors that don't disappear during recessions.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple
This is the engine of Temple's economy. Baylor Scott & White is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas, and the Temple campus is its flagship.
Here's what you need to know:
- 8,884 employees in the Temple region
- 616–636 staffed beds
- Level I Adult Trauma Center
- Teaching hospital affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine
- Ranked #7 among all hospitals in Texas
- Recognized as "High Performing" in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Pulmonology
- Actively hiring in 2026 for specialized nursing (Pediatric ER, Oncology, Renal Urology) and tech roles like Clinical Informatics Specialists and Senior Software Developers
If you're a nurse, physician, PA, or healthcare professional considering a move to Temple — this is likely why. The hospital doesn't just employ people, it creates an entire ecosystem of private clinics, support services, and medical professionals that sustains the local economy.
Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System (Temple VA)
The Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center is another cornerstone employer, serving as a referral center for 39 Texas counties.
- Approximately 3,500 employees at the Temple campus
- 189-bed teaching hospital, 262-bed domiciliary, and a new 80-bed Community Living Center
- 2.7 million outpatient visits and 57,747 ER visits annually
- High-value career opportunities: Psychiatrists ($260K–$290K), Radiologists ($355K–$400K)
Fort Cavazos (Formerly Fort Hood)
Fort Cavazos is one of the largest military installations in the world and the single biggest economic driver in Bell County.
- 59,695 direct employees, including 38,642 active-duty troops
- $39 billion annual economic impact to the State of Texas
- Approximately 300 service members separate each month, and over 35% choose to stay in Central Texas
If you're getting PCS'd to Fort Cavazos, Temple and Belton are where most families with school-age children choose to live. Killeen is closer to the post, but Temple and Belton offer better schools, lower crime, and stronger property values.
Logistics & Distribution
Temple's position on I-35 makes it a distribution powerhouse:
- McLane Company (headquartered in Temple) — 1,700 employees, military-friendly employer
- H-E-B Retail Distribution Center — 1,700 employees
- BNSF Railway — 1,500 employees
- Wilsonart International — 1,000 employees (global laminate manufacturing)
- Walmart Distribution — 925 employees
The New Player: Hyperscale Data Centers
This is the growth story for Temple in 2026 and beyond. South Temple along Bob White Road is becoming a tech corridor:
- Meta Data Center — $800 million investment, 900,000 SF LEED Gold-certified campus, already contributing $460,000 to local schools and nonprofits
- Rowan Digital Infrastructure — $700 million hyperscale campus on 700+ acres, ground broke late 2025, expected to create 700 construction jobs and 30–40 high-wage permanent tech positions
These data centers are transforming Temple from a logistics-and-healthcare town into a legitimate tech support center. That means demand for higher-end housing, tech-ready office space, and a shift in the demographics of who's moving here.
Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Temple & Belton
Choosing the right neighborhood is the most important decision you'll make. I've built out a complete Bell County Neighborhood Guide on my website with detailed breakdowns, but here's the overview.
Temple Neighborhoods
Northwest Temple — This is where most of the newer development is happening. Great for families, strong school access, and modern homes. If you want something built in the last 10–15 years, start here.
South Temple — Established neighborhoods with a "Brady Bunch" 1960s–70s feel. Large mature trees, bigger lots, and a lot of character. This area is popular with people who want an older home with personality.
West Temple — The growth corridor. Newer subdivisions, many in Belton ISD, and the most popular area for families relocating from out of state. Communities like Dawson Ranch, Sendero Estates, and developments near Stillhouse Hollow Lake are the hot spots.
Downtown Temple — Historic charm, walkable to restaurants and local businesses. The downtown scene is going through a renaissance right now with spots like Bird Creek Brewing, Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, and Water Street Waffle Company.
Western Hills — Affordable homes, mature trees, great resale potential. A solid option for first-time buyers or investors.
Belton Neighborhoods
South Belton — Family-focused, great access to Belton schools and parks. Consistently popular with military families.
High Crest — Upscale homes, some with lake views, more privacy and space.
Downtown Belton — Artsy, vibrant, walkable. Close to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus.
Three Creeks & Stillhouse Hollow Area — Master-planned communities near the lake with modern amenities and "hill country" vibes. New construction typically starts in the $300K range.
A Note on Killeen
I get asked about Killeen all the time. It's the closest city to Fort Cavazos, and it's more affordable than Temple or Belton. But long-term residents consistently note that Killeen is more transient and has higher crime rates. If you have kids and school quality matters, most families choose Temple or Belton for the stability, property values, and school districts. That said, Killeen has its own appeal for budget-conscious buyers, and parts of Harker Heights (which borders Killeen) are excellent.
School Districts: Temple ISD vs. Belton ISD
School districts are one of the biggest factors in where families choose to buy, and they directly impact property values.
Belton ISD
Belton ISD is widely considered the premier district in the area and is the primary reason the West Temple/Belton corridor commands higher home prices.
- TEA Accountability Rating (2025): B (Score: 80, up 3 points from 2024)
- Enrollment: 13,808 students across 19 campuses
- Top Schools: Lakewood Elementary (Score: 93), Lake Belton High School (Score: 90)
- Financial Rating: "A" (Superior Achievement) with a 98/100 from TEA
- Military Families: Multiple campuses hold the Purple Star Campus Designation for supporting military-connected students (Charter Oak Elementary, Lake Belton Middle)
Temple ISD
Temple ISD has deep community roots and is making real strides in improvement.
- TEA Accountability Rating (2025): C (Score: 77, up 8 points from previous year — significant improvement)
- Enrollment: 8,680 students across 15 campuses
- Top School: Fred W. Edwards Academy (Score: 93)
- Temple High School: Rating rose 10 points to 79 in 2025
- Distinctions: Top 8% of districts statewide for the 2025 TAEA District of Distinction Award (visual arts)
- Growth Investment: Voters approved bond measures in November 2025 to add 16 classrooms at Temple High School and expand Hector P. Garcia Elementary for projected 2% annual enrollment growth
Temple College
For continuing education and workforce training, Temple College is a major asset. Credit enrollment hit 5,381 in Fall 2024 (11% year-over-year increase), with top programs in Computer/Information Sciences, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration. In-state tuition is about $3,000/year — very accessible.
Things to Do in Temple & Belton
Temple isn't Austin — and that's the point. But it's not boring either, especially if you're a family or someone who values outdoor recreation.
Outdoor Recreation
Belton Lake is the centerpiece. Temple Lake Park has 60 picnic sites, a swim beach, boat ramps, and volleyball courts. BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area) covers 800 acres with a waterslide, horseback riding, and a marina with 82 wet slips. Entry is just $5 per vehicle.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake is the other local gem — popular for fishing, kayaking, and hiking the Dana Peak Park trails.
Miller Springs Nature Area sits on the north end of Belton Dam and offers some of the best hiking in the area through canyon and riverside terrain.
Food & Dining
Downtown Temple is where the food scene is happening. Pignetti's Italian and Cheeves Brothers Steak House anchor the high-end dining. Miller's Smokehouse in Belton is consistently rated the best BBQ in the region. For the more casual/indie scene, check out Bird Creek Brewing, Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, and Water Street Waffle Company.
Events & Community
Annual highlights include the Central Texas Soul Fest, Tanglefoot Music and BBQ Festival, and the Hot Summer Sounds concert series. The community calendar stays active year-round.
Proximity to Austin & Waco
Austin is about 70 miles south (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes depending on I-35 traffic). Waco is 35 miles north (about 35 minutes). You can easily access big-city entertainment, dining, and airports without paying big-city prices to live there.
Getting Around: Transportation & Commute Times
I-35 Corridor
I-35 is the backbone of Temple's connectivity. It gets you to Austin, Waco, and Dallas. TxDOT is planning a major expansion of I-35 through Temple and Belton — widening from 6 lanes to 14 total lanes (general-purpose, express, and frontage roads). Construction is targeted to begin around 2030, with environmental and right-of-way work happening now through 2026. The I-14 extension from Belton to Rogers is also part of this project.
Public Transit
"The HOP" (Hill Country Transit District) provides local transit between Temple, Belton, Killeen, and Copperas Cove. In 2024, they switched from fixed routes to microtransit — an on-demand van service you book through an app for $2.00 per ride.
Amtrak
Temple has a historic Amtrak depot with daily service on the Texas Eagle line — Austin is about 1.5 hours, Dallas about 4 hours 45 minutes.
Airports
- Killeen-Fort Hood Regional (GRK) — 30 miles, 30–40 minutes. Best for regional/commuter flights.
- Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) — 74 miles, 1h 15m–1h 45m. Best for national and international direct flights.
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) — 138 miles, 2h 15m–3 hours. Best for global connectivity.
Property Taxes in Temple & Bell County
Texas has no state income tax, which is a major draw — but property taxes fund local services, and they're worth understanding before you buy.
Current Tax Rates (2025–2026)
- Bell County: ~$0.3128 per $100 valuation
- City of Temple: $0.6999 per $100 valuation
- Temple ISD: $1.1372 per $100 valuation
- Belton ISD: $1.1494 per $100 valuation
So if you're in Temple city limits within Temple ISD, your combined rate is roughly $1.95 per $100 of assessed value. On a $285,000 home, that's approximately $5,557/year before any exemptions.
Homestead Exemption
Make sure you file your homestead exemption — it reduces your taxable value and caps annual increases. This is one of the first things I walk my buyers through after closing.
The Veteran Factor
Temple has a large and growing veteran population. Texas offers a 100% property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% disability rating. This is a significant benefit if you qualify, but it also affects the city's tax base — the City of Temple lost $4.2 million in tax revenue from these exemptions in 2025, which means rates for non-exempt properties may see incremental increases over time.
Safety & Crime in Temple
I'll give you the honest picture here.
Temple's total crime index is approximately 27 per 1,000 residents, while Belton sits at 23 per 1,000. For context, the national median for property crime is about 18 per 1,000.
The good news: violent crime is trending down significantly. Temple saw a 56% decline in murders through November 2025, motor vehicle theft dropped 37%, and burglary fell 19%.
The not-so-good: property crime is still above the national average, and some offense categories like intimidation increased.
The neighborhood you choose matters a lot. West Temple, South Temple, and the Belton corridor are where residents consistently feel safest. The general advice from locals is to exercise more caution in North and East Temple, especially after dark. This is one of the reasons I spend so much time helping buyers choose the right neighborhood — not just the right house.
What's Coming: Temple's Growth Pipeline
Temple isn't standing still. Here's what's in the pipeline:
Data Center Corridor — Over $1.5 billion in combined investment from Meta and Rowan Digital Infrastructure in South Temple. This is going to shift the economic profile of the city over the next decade.
I-35 Expansion — The 6-to-14-lane widening project will transform regional connectivity once construction begins around 2030.
Wastewater Infrastructure — A $16.8 million expansion of the Temple/Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant will increase capacity by 60% by early 2028, unlocking thousands of new residential lots.
New Residential Development — Master-planned communities in the West Temple/Belton corridor continue to expand: Three Creeks, Dawson Ranch, Sendero Estates, and The Bluff at Dunn's Hollow (custom luxury builds up to $1M).
Temple City Budget — The FY 2026 budget includes $9 million in technology infrastructure for traffic monitoring and municipal systems, plus increased funding for public safety and park upgrades.
Investing in Temple TX Real Estate
If you're not just moving here but considering Temple as an investment market, I've built a dedicated Investing in Temple TX page with live deal analysis, top cash-flowing properties by city, and a Deal Analyzer tool that runs the numbers for you.
The short version: Temple's combination of a $285K median home price, $1,200–$1,300/month rental rates for 3-bedroom homes, and consistent population growth makes it one of the strongest buy-and-hold rental markets in Central Texas. I invest here myself — flips, BRRRR, mid-term rentals, and long-term holds.
Check out the Austin vs. Temple ROI comparison to see how the numbers stack up side by side.
Builder Incentives: Why New Construction is Worth Considering
Builders in Temple are offering aggressive incentives right now — rate buydowns, closing cost coverage, flex cash, and more. I built a Builder Incentives Tracker on my website that automatically updates every week by crawling the latest builder pages. No sign-up required — just check the page and see what's available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Temple TX
Is Temple, Texas a good place to live?
Yes. Temple offers a strong combination of affordable housing (median price ~$285K), world-class healthcare through Baylor Scott & White, proximity to outdoor recreation at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow, and a growing job market. The cost of living runs 13–17% below the national average. It's especially attractive for healthcare professionals, military families, and people priced out of Austin.
What is the cost of living in Temple TX?
Temple's cost of living index is approximately 86.9 compared to the national average of 100. Housing is the biggest savings — the median home price is roughly $285,000 versus $525,000 in Austin. Groceries run 5–8% below average, and healthcare costs are significantly lower than other Texas metro areas.
What are the best neighborhoods in Temple TX?
It depends on what you're looking for. West Temple and the Belton corridor are the most popular for families relocating from out of state — newer homes, Belton ISD schools, and proximity to Stillhouse Hollow Lake. South Temple has established neighborhoods with character and mature trees. Northwest Temple offers newer development with good school access. Check out my full Neighborhood Guide for detailed breakdowns.
Is Temple TX safe?
Temple's overall crime rate is about 27 per 1,000 residents, with violent crime trending down significantly (56% decline in murders in 2025). Belton is slightly lower at 23 per 1,000. The safest areas are generally West Temple, South Temple, and the Belton corridor. Like any city, neighborhood selection matters — which is exactly why working with a local agent who knows the area is important.
How far is Temple from Austin?
Temple is approximately 70 miles north of Austin along I-35. Drive time is typically 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on traffic. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the closest major airport for national and international flights.
What are the major employers in Temple TX?
The biggest employers are Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (8,884 employees), Fort Cavazos (59,695 direct employees), the Temple VA (3,500 employees), McLane Company (1,700), H-E-B Distribution (1,700), and BNSF Railway (1,500). New data center investments from Meta ($800M) and Rowan Digital ($700M) are adding tech-sector jobs.
What school district is Temple TX in?
Temple is served by both Temple ISD and Belton ISD, depending on location. Belton ISD earned a "B" rating (80/100) from TEA in 2025, while Temple ISD earned a "C" (77/100) — up 8 points from the previous year. Many families in West Temple are zoned for Belton ISD, which is a major factor in home values.
Can I buy a home in Temple TX remotely?
Absolutely. I work with out-of-state buyers regularly — especially investors and military families getting PCS'd to Fort Cavazos. I offer virtual tours, FaceTime walkthroughs, digital contracts, and can coordinate everything from inspections to closing without you being physically present. I also search for off-market properties and pocket listings that aren't on Zillow or Realtor.com.
How are property taxes in Temple TX?
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are higher than many states. In Temple, the combined rate (county + city + school district) is roughly $1.95 per $100 of assessed value. On a $285,000 home, expect about $5,500/year before exemptions. Veterans with 100% disability receive a full exemption. Always file your homestead exemption after closing. More Info On The Data Center Here
Is Temple TX a good market for real estate investing?
Temple is one of the strongest buy-and-hold rental markets in Central Texas. The median home price of ~$285K combined with rental rates of $1,200–$1,300/month for 3-bedroom homes creates solid cash flow potential. Population growth of 3.14% annually, $1.5B+ in data center investments, and the I-35 expansion all point to long-term appreciation. I invest here myself and built a Deal Analyzer tool to help investors run the numbers. Check out my full Investing in Temple TX page for live deal analysis.
Ready to Make Your Move to Temple?
Whether you're relocating for work, PCS'ing to Fort Cavazos, buying your first home, or investing from out of state — I'll walk you through the entire process.
Here's what you get when you work with me:
- A local agent who's also an active real estate investor (flips, BRRRR, mid-term and long-term rentals)
- 5+ years and 100+ transactions in the Temple/Belton market
- Personalized MLS search set up for your criteria
- Off-market property sourcing — I call listing agents and find pocket listings that aren't online
- Virtual tours and remote closing support for out-of-state buyers
- A strong local network of lenders, inspectors, and contractors
Call or text me: 254-718-4249
Email: [email protected]
Browse listings and tools: templetxhomes.net