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Quality of Life in Keene, TX
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
20% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Keene, TX for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $15k | $29k |
| Comfortable | $43k | $63k |
| Luxury | $83k+ | $128k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $97k+ | $151k+ |
81%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
8 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
14 within 20 miles
Airport
DFW — Dallas/Fort Worth International
Post Office
USPS — Joshua, TX
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Keene, Texas, is a small, family-oriented city in Johnson County that offers a notably lower cost of living than the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, attracting a mix of young families, retirees, and commuters seeking a quieter, more affordable lifestyle. With a cost of living index of 80 (20% below the U.S. average), the community is characterized by its tight-knit, conservative values and a strong presence of Southwestern Adventist University, which shapes much of the local culture. The population hovers around 6,000, and the city’s affluence is modest compared to suburban DFW, with median household incomes typically below the national average, reflecting a blue-collar and education-focused demographic.
Cost of living, housing, and how Keene compares to nearby cities
Keene’s affordability is its strongest draw, especially when stacked against nearby cities like Burleson or Fort Worth. The median home value of $219,900 is roughly 30% lower than the DFW metro average, while the median rent of $950 undercuts many surrounding suburbs by several hundred dollars. This price point makes homeownership attainable for first-time buyers and young families who might be priced out of areas closer to Fort Worth (about 30 minutes east). The average commute of 26.5 minutes is manageable, though it can stretch to 40+ minutes for those working in downtown Fort Worth or Dallas. Property taxes in Johnson County are moderate, and while Keene lacks the high-end retail and dining of larger suburbs, the trade-off is significantly lower monthly housing costs. For renters, the $950 median is a bargain compared to the $1,400+ typical in nearby Cleburne or Burleson, though inventory is limited.
Amenities, schools, and what daily life feels like in Keene
Daily life in Keene revolves around the university and local parks, with a slower pace than the DFW sprawl. The Keene Independent School District serves the community with three schools (Keene Elementary, Keene Middle, and Keene High School), all of which maintain average-to-good ratings and small class sizes. Southwestern Adventist University provides cultural events, a vegetarian-friendly dining scene, and a health-conscious ethos that influences local businesses. Amenities are basic: a small downtown with a grocery store, a few restaurants, and a public library. For major shopping or entertainment, residents drive 15 minutes to Cleburne or 30 minutes to Fort Worth. The city’s parks, such as Keene City Park, offer playgrounds and sports fields, but there is no major hospital or large retail center within city limits. The rhythm is quiet and family-focused, with church and school activities forming the social backbone.
Keene is best suited for those who prioritize affordability and a close-knit community over urban amenities. Young families seeking a safe, low-cost place to buy a first home will find the housing market accessible, while retirees on fixed incomes can stretch their dollars further here than in most Texas suburbs. Commuters willing to trade a longer drive for lower rent or mortgage payments will also thrive, as will students and faculty connected to the university. However, those seeking nightlife, diverse dining, or high-end retail should look elsewhere. For anyone who values space, quiet, and a strong sense of local identity without the premium price tag of the DFW metro, Keene offers a genuine small-town quality of life at a fraction of the cost.
Crime in Keene, TX
Lower crime rates than 86% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Keene, Texas, a small city of roughly 6,000 residents in Johnson County, reports significantly lower crime rates than both state and national averages, making it one of the safer communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a violent crime rate of 127.4 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 495.6 per 100,000, Keene offers a level of safety that is rare for communities within commuting distance of a major urban center. These figures place Keene well below the Texas average for violent crime (roughly 450 per 100K) and property crime (around 2,500 per 100K), as well as far under national benchmarks.
Crime in context
Keene's crime statistics reflect a community that has largely avoided the violent and property crime spikes seen in larger cities. The violent crime rate of 127.4 per 100K is roughly 72% lower than the national average and about 70% lower than the Texas state average. Property crime in Keene, at 495.6 per 100K, is approximately 65% below the national rate and 80% below the Texas average. These numbers are particularly notable given Keene's proximity to Fort Worth (roughly 30 miles east) and its location within the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where many surrounding cities report crime rates two to three times higher. The low crime rates are consistent with Johnson County's overall profile as a conservative, family-oriented area with strong community policing and a justice system that prioritizes public safety over progressive offender-centric policies.
What residents experience
Residents of Keene typically describe the town as quiet and safe, with most crime limited to minor theft and occasional vandalism rather than violent confrontations. The city's small size and tight-knit community mean that suspicious activity is quickly reported, and police response times are generally fast. Violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and homicide are rare events; the 127.4 per 100K rate translates to roughly 7-8 violent incidents per year across the entire population. Property crime, while more common, still amounts to only about 30 reported incidents annually. The absence of a large, transient population and the presence of Southwestern Adventist University, a private Christian college, contribute to a stable, low-crime environment. Unlike larger metro areas where progressive district attorneys may implement catch-and-release policies or reduced sentencing, Johnson County's elected officials maintain a traditional law-and-order approach, which residents credit for keeping recidivism low and repeat offenders off the streets.
Neighborhood-level variation in Keene is minimal, as the city is compact and uniformly residential. The safest areas tend to be the established single-family home neighborhoods near the university and along the main commercial corridor (US-67). The few rental properties and apartment complexes near the highway see slightly higher rates of petty theft and vehicle break-ins, but these remain well below regional averages. Overall, Keene offers a safety profile that appeals to families, retirees, and anyone seeking a low-crime alternative to the DFW metroplex without sacrificing access to urban amenities.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-10-17T17:11:59.000Z
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