Where to Live Near Fort Hood: All 6 Towns, by the Numbers
No town near Fort Hood is best for everyone. Start from where you will report and what you can spend, then compare the six towns on the same measures.
Free-flow drive to Bernie Beck Main Gate from each city hall (Belton: Bell County Courthouse; Copperas Cove: city center point), measured September 25, 2026. Traffic, gate processing and the on-post drive are extra.
Fort Hood was named Fort Cavazos from 2023 until the June 11, 2025 redesignation. The current name honors Col. Robert B. Hood; the Army’s notice explains the change.
Where should you live near Fort Hood?
There is no single best town near Fort Hood. Start with your reporting gate or unit area and the drive you will accept, then compare what each town costs to buy or rent, which school district serves the address, and how its taxes are structured. Your budget, expected stay and exit plan decide the rest; BAH is one budget input, not a way to pick a town.
- Drive, measured Sept. 25, 2026: 6.6–6.7 minutes free-flow from Killeen City Hall to the main gate; 31.6–36.1 minutes from Temple City Hall.
- Asking prices, observed October 3, 2026: medians from $235,000 in Killeen to $349,900 in Nolanville among the five Bell County towns; Copperas Cove is not covered by these exports.
- Taxes, 2025: every taxing unit on one verified parcel per town added up to between 1.832730 per $100 in Harker Heights and 2.387677 in Temple, before exemptions.
How do the six towns near Fort Hood compare?
One set of measures for every town, listed alphabetically; none is ranked. Prices and rents come from the Central Texas MLS with the same definitions for each town, and every drive was measured the same way.
Swipe the table sideways for prices and rents.
| Town | County | Free-flow minutes to main gate, Sept. 25, 2026 | Median asking price, observed October 3, 2026 (Active records) | Median sale price, Oct. 3, 2025–Oct. 2, 2026 (closed records) | Median 3-bedroom rent, Sept. 24, 2025–Sept. 23, 2026 (MLS leases) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belton | Bell | 23.0–27.0 | $336,500 (234) | $321,987 (634) | $1,750 (51) |
| Copperas Cove | Coryell (mostly) | 12.6–14.8 | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Harker Heights | Bell | 11.3–12.6 | $307,000 (140) | $315,000 (335) | $1,450 (67) |
| Killeen | Bell | 6.6–6.7 | $235,000 (717) | $235,000 (1,655) | $1,399 (545) |
| Nolanville | Bell | 13.3–16.1 | $349,900 (89) | $330,000 (185) | $1,563 (24) |
| Temple | Bell | 31.6–36.1 | $280,000 (642) | $270,000 (1,430) | $1,550 (228) |
Definitions: residential raw records, not deduplicated properties; “active” means Active status only (under contract, pending and coming soon excluded), with median ListPrice and CurrentPrice fallback; sales are Closed Residential records over $5,000; rents are closed MLS leases of three-bedroom homes; counts in parentheses. Town is the MLS City field, which follows mailing addresses rather than city limits. Medians of an even count are the average of the two middle values, rounded to the dollar; the Nolanville lease sample is small. MLS leases are only part of the rental market. Copperas Cove is mostly in Coryell County, outside these Bell County exports. Source: Central Texas MLS Active records observed October 3, 2026. Closings October 3, 2025–October 2, 2026 join exports observed September 2 and October 3, 2026 at May 1, 2026. Lease figures remain from the September 23, 2026 export. Drive method in Chapter 02.
Medians describe a town’s mix of listings and sales, not a particular house, so compare similar homes at the addresses you are considering. For Copperas Cove, ask for a Coryell County search of current listings, recent sales and leases.
How far is each town from Fort Hood’s gates?
Measured free-flow drives to Bernie Beck Main Gate on September 25, 2026. Treat them as floors, not commute promises: rush-hour traffic, gate processing and the drive on post to your unit are extra. Confirm your reporting gate and duty building before you compare houses.
| From | Miles | Free-flow minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Killeen City Hall | 3.0 | 6.6–6.7 |
| Harker Heights City Hall | 8.5 | 11.3–12.6 |
| Copperas Cove city center point | 9.0–9.1 | 12.6–14.8 |
| Nolanville City Hall | 11.9 | 13.3–16.1 |
| Belton, Bell County Courthouse | 22.0–22.1 | 23.0–27.0 |
| Temple City Hall | 29.7 | 31.6–36.1 |
Method: two free routing engines (OSRM and Valhalla), no traffic model and no departure time; where they differ, both values are shown. Destination: the Bernie Beck Main Gate coordinate the Army publishes on its Entering Fort Hood page. A home across town can be several minutes nearer or farther.
Near post, yes. From Killeen City Hall the free-flow drive was 3.1 minutes to the East Gate, 6.6 to Bernie Beck and 9.5 to the North Clarke Road gate; from Copperas Cove it was 8.4 minutes to North Clarke Road and 14.8 to Bernie Beck. From Temple City Hall all three gates fell within 3 minutes of each other (35.6–38.5).
Fort Hood lists Bernie Beck Main Gate as open 24/7. Since May 7, 2025, visitors 18 and older need a REAL ID–compliant credential or another acceptable ID for unescorted access; the Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center beside the main gate issues visitor passes, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (Fort Hood visitor information, checked September 25, 2026). The installation’s gate page lists hours only for Bernie Beck, so confirm any other gate’s hours with your unit, and check TxDOT projects on your route.
How do property tax rates compare in the six towns?
Compare the whole tax stack of a real parcel, not one citywide percentage. For each town, the table adds every taxing unit on one parcel inside that city, as listed in the county’s public property-tax rate database, using 2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value before exemptions. Another parcel in the same town can carry different special districts.
| Town | Parcel checked | Taxing units and 2025 rates per $100 (the arithmetic) | Sum per $100, before exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belton | Bell County property 59015 | City of Belton 0.522500 + Belton ISD 1.149400 + Bell County 0.312800 + Road District 0.019900 + Clearwater UWCD 0.002230 | 2.006830 |
| Copperas Cove | Coryell County property 120074 | City of Copperas Cove 0.686419 + Copperas Cove ISD 0.757500 + Coryell County 0.475200 + Central Texas College 0.090000 + Middle Trinity GCD 0.005950 | 2.015069 |
| Harker Heights | Bell County property 93378 | City of Harker Heights 0.530000 + Killeen ISD 0.877800 + Bell County 0.312800 + Road District 0.019900 + Clearwater UWCD 0.002230 + Central Texas College 0.090000 | 1.832730 |
| Killeen | Bell County property 505435 | City of Killeen 0.701400 + Killeen ISD 0.877800 + Bell County 0.312800 + Road District 0.019900 + Clearwater UWCD 0.002230 + Central Texas College 0.090000 | 2.004130 |
| Nolanville | Bell County property 363051 | City of Nolanville 0.538300 + Killeen ISD 0.877800 + Bell County 0.312800 + Road District 0.019900 + Clearwater UWCD 0.002230 + Central Texas College 0.090000 + Bell County WCID #3 0.035800 + Bell County WCID #6 0.024300 | 1.901130 |
| Temple | Bell County property 524211 | City of Temple 0.699900 + Temple ISD 1.137200 + Bell County 0.312800 + Road District 0.019900 + Clearwater UWCD 0.002230 + Temple College 0.201700 + Temple Health & Bioscience District 0.013947 | 2.387677 |
Every rate matches the Bell CAD 2025 tax rate table or the Coryell CAD 2025 entity tax rates. Parcel units from the Bell County and Coryell County property-tax rate databases (Temple, Killeen and Nolanville parcels retrieved September 20, 2026; Belton, Harker Heights and Copperas Cove September 26, 2026). Temple parcels checked in Belton ISD and Academy ISD total 2.399877 and 2.399377. Both Nolanville parcels checked carry Bell County WCID #3 and #6; water-control, MUD and other special districts vary by subdivision.
Exemptions reduce taxable value, starting with the $140,000 state school homestead exemption; some cities and colleges add local homestead exemptions. For a worked 2025 bill on a $300,000 homestead, with and without the disabled-veteran exemptions, see the Fort Hood relocation guide, and check the actual parcel on Bell CAD or Coryell CAD.
Which school district serves an address near Fort Hood?
Check the address, not the town name. District lines don’t follow city names: the Harker Heights and Nolanville streets checked in September 2026 were all in Killeen ISD, some Temple addresses are in Belton ISD, and one Copperas Cove city address checked was in Lampasas ISD.
| District | County | TEA 2026 rating (score) | Address lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belton ISD | Bell | B (80) | Lookup |
| Copperas Cove ISD | Coryell | B (85) | Lookup |
| Killeen ISD | Bell | C (79) | Lookup |
| Temple ISD | Bell | B (81) | Lookup |
Texas Education Agency 2026 A–F accountability ratings, released August 14, 2026. A district rating describes the whole district, not the campus a street feeds.
Campus ratings can differ from the district’s. In 2026 Killeen ISD was rated C (79) overall, while Harker Heights High School, the Killeen ISD high school for most Harker Heights streets checked, was rated A (92), up from B (86) in 2025; one Harker Heights street checked (Northside Drive) feeds Killeen High School instead. For any address, find the district with TEA’s School District Locator, confirm campuses with the district’s own lookup and read the campus reports on TXschools.gov. A rating is one input, not a recommendation.
Should you buy, rent or live on post at Fort Hood?
Treat it as a cost-per-month question. Add the one-time costs to buy and to sell later (the VA funding fee if you are not exempt, closing costs from your Loan Estimate and selling costs from a seller net estimate) and divide by the months you expect to own. A first-use VA loan of $250,000 with no down payment carries a 2.15% fee of $5,375: about $224 a month over 24 months or $149 over 36, before other costs (VA fee chart, effective April 7, 2023).
Buying tends to fit when…
- You expect to own long enough that one-time costs spread thin.
- You will still have reserves after closing.
- The payment, taxes, insurance and any HOA fit your budget without counting on appreciation.
- You have priced both exits, a sale and a rental, for that specific home.
Renting or on-post housing tends to fit when…
- Your stay is short or your orders could change soon.
- You want to test the drive from different towns at your report hour first.
- Closing would leave little cash in reserve.
- You are eligible for on-post housing and its terms fit your plans.
For on-post family housing, ask the installation housing office about eligibility, current rent and what it includes, and availability for your report date. Fort Hood’s newcomers page says its Housing Services Office can assist with local leasing practices, rental application fees, utility waivers and pet restrictions (page last modified May 29, 2026). Either way, time the drive from the actual home to your duty building. VA entitlement, the 2026 Bell County loan limit and the full worksheet are on the Fort Hood relocation guide.
The Texas 100% disabled-veteran property tax exemption
Texas Tax Code §11.131 can exempt the full appraised value of a qualifying residence homestead when the veteran receives 100% VA disability compensation and has a 100% disability rating or an individual-unemployability determination. Apply through the appraisal district and confirm eligibility and effective timing; the benefit is not automatic. See the Texas Comptroller 100 percent disabled veteran FAQ.
The savings depend on the actual taxable value, taxing units, other exemptions and effective date. A universal monthly saving or percentage increase in buying power would not fit every home. Include the verified amount in a property-specific lender estimate.
| VA disability rating | Benefit (Texas) |
|---|---|
| Qualifying 100% compensation plus 100% rating or IU · §11.131 | Total homestead exemption — property-tax line = $0 |
| 70–100% · §11.22 partial exemption | $12,000 assessed-value reduction |
| 50–69% | $10,000 assessed-value reduction |
| 30–49% | $7,500 assessed-value reduction |
| 10–29% | $5,000 assessed-value reduction |
The separate §11.22 partial exemption applies to one qualifying property the veteran owns, not only a homestead. These are exemptions of taxable value, not equal dollar reductions in the tax bill. Additional qualifying circumstances, including age 65 or older with at least a 10% rating, can permit the $12,000 amount. Confirm eligibility with the appraisal district.
Discuss any confirmed exemption and its effective date with your lender. Ask how taxes will be estimated at closing and whether escrow adjustments will be needed. Do not assume an exemption is active before the appraisal district confirms it.
1. Full exemption eligibility depends on the qualifying homestead. If the home stops qualifying, taxes may apply for the remaining portion of the year. Ask the appraisal district before relying on an exemption in a rental-conversion budget. 2. Apply and confirm timing. The ordinary filing deadline is April 30, but late filing may be available. Use the district for the actual parcel: Bell CAD, Coryell CAD, or another county if the address falls outside those jurisdictions.
Taylor’s take
“I have never been in the military. I’ve never had to PCS, so I’m not going to pretend like I know what a move feels like from the inside.”
“I have closed deals in every single one of these towns.”
From Taylor’s June 30, 2026 Fort Hood video (0:26–0:58). His MLS-recorded closings since 2022 include homes in each of the six towns (Central Texas MLS agent records, September 2, 2026). Start with the full Fort Hood relocation guide, then send Taylor your numbers.
How do you verify a specific address near Fort Hood?
Every number on this page describes a town. Your decision happens at one address, and taxes, school zoning, flood risk and the real commute are all address-specific. Six checks before an offer:
- Confirm your reporting gate and duty building with your unit. Then drive the route at your actual report time, including the gate and the on-post leg.
- Pull the parcel on the county appraisal district. Bell CAD or Coryell CAD — the actual tax rate, current exemptions, and assessed history for that exact parcel, not a citywide average.
- Check the zoned campus, not the district. Use the district’s own address lookup plus txschools.gov — boundaries change, and a district rating says nothing about which campus a street feeds.
- Run the FEMA flood map. msc.fema.gov — and get an insurance quote before the option period ends, not after.
- Read the HOA / MUD / PID documents. Special districts add a monthly or yearly cost your budget has to absorb; they show up on the CAD parcel and in the title commitment.
- Match the house to your exit. Selling on orders wants liquidity; converting to a rental wants current rent comps against the payment. Decide which before you write the offer.
Watch: PCS to Fort Hood, six towns compared
Correction (October 5, 2026): the video says Nolanville is in Belton ISD. Nolanville addresses are served by Killeen ISD; confirm any address with the TEA district locator. The town suggestions in the video are general commentary from July 2026. This page compares the six towns by commute, price, tax rate and school district only.
Fort Hood housing: common questions
Where should you live near Fort Hood?
There is no single best town. Start with your reporting gate or unit area and the drive you will accept, then compare each town’s prices and rents, the school district for the address and the tax structure. Your budget, expected stay and exit plan decide the rest; BAH is a budget input, not a way to choose a town.
How far is each town from Fort Hood’s main gate?
Free-flow drives to Bernie Beck Main Gate measured on September 25, 2026: Killeen City Hall 6.6 to 6.7 minutes; Harker Heights City Hall 11.3 to 12.6 minutes; Copperas Cove city center point 12.6 to 14.8 minutes; Nolanville City Hall 13.3 to 16.1 minutes; Belton, Bell County Courthouse 23.0 to 27.0 minutes; Temple City Hall 31.6 to 36.1 minutes. Traffic, gate processing and the drive on post to your unit add time.
What do homes cost in the towns near Fort Hood?
Median asking prices of active Central Texas MLS listing records observed October 3, 2026: Belton $336,500, Harker Heights $307,000, Killeen $235,000, Nolanville $349,900 and Temple $280,000. Median three-bedroom MLS rents for September 24, 2025, to September 23, 2026: Belton $1,750, Harker Heights $1,450, Killeen $1,399, Nolanville $1,563 and Temple $1,550. Copperas Cove is outside these Bell County exports.
How do property tax rates compare near Fort Hood?
Adding every taxing unit on one verified 2025 parcel per town gives, per $100 before exemptions: Belton 2.006830, Copperas Cove 2.015069, Harker Heights 1.832730, Killeen 2.004130, Nolanville 1.901130 and Temple 2.387677. Special districts vary by parcel, and homestead exemptions change the actual bill, so check the parcel with the appraisal district.
Which school district serves a home near Fort Hood?
Check the address, not the town name. In September 2026 checks, Harker Heights and Nolanville streets were in Killeen ISD and some Temple addresses were in Belton ISD. TEA’s 2026 ratings: Belton ISD B (80), Copperas Cove ISD B (85), Killeen ISD C (79) and Temple ISD B (81). Confirm the campus with the district’s own lookup.
Is it better to buy or rent at Fort Hood?
Add the one-time costs of buying and later selling (the VA funding fee if you are not exempt, closing costs and selling costs) and divide by the months you expect to own. The shorter the stay, the more each month carries. Buying fits better when that cost spreads thin and you keep reserves; renting or eligible on-post housing keeps you flexible.
What is the 100% disabled-veteran property tax exemption in Texas?
Texas Tax Code §11.131 exempts the total appraised value of the residence homestead of a veteran awarded 100% VA disability compensation with a 100% rating or individual unemployability. It covers the homestead only. The separate §11.22 exemption of $5,000 to $12,000 applies to one property the veteran owns. Apply with the county appraisal district.
Do you have to live on post at Fort Hood?
Check your orders and housing eligibility with the installation housing office, and get the current rent, what it includes and availability in writing. Compare those terms with an off-post lease or a purchase, and time the drive from the actual home to your duty building either way.
Talk with Taylor about your Fort Hood move
Tell Taylor your report date, the gate or unit area you expect to use, how long you expect to stay and the towns you are weighing. He replies personally with questions and next steps; there is no automated shortlist.
More Central Texas relocation resources
Taylor Dasch · EG Realty · Temple, TX · TREC License #0775435 · 254-718-4249 · dealswithdasch@gmail.com. $20M+ / 85+ real estate transactions; serves Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, Belton, and Temple.
Informational only — not financial, tax, or lending advice. BAH figures are 2026 Fort Hood MHA (TX286) rates; verify yours at the official DoD (DTMO) BAH lookup. The disabled-veteran property-tax exemption (Texas Tax Code §11.131) requires filing with the county appraisal district (Bell CAD; Coryell CAD for Copperas Cove) and is not automatic. School ratings reflect TEA accountability data, not endorsements — confirm the zoned campus for any address. Flood status is parcel-specific — check FEMA flood maps and price insurance before the option period ends. MLS figures are CTXMLS medians for the windows stated in each table (asking prices observed October 3, 2026; sales October 3, 2025–October 2, 2026 from exports observed September 2 and October 3, 2026; three-bedroom leases September 24, 2025–September 23, 2026) and will change. Equal Opportunity Housing.