Moving to Central Texas? Compare Temple, Belton, Salado and Nearby Cities

You're thinking about moving to Central Texas, but you're not exactly sure where to live. Maybe you've been told Temple or Belton, but what about Salado, Troy, Little River Academy, or Harker Heights? Here's the thing: just because two houses are fifteen minutes apart doesn't mean they have the same living experience. The commute might be similar, but the lifestyle, the property taxes, the school districts, and the access to amenities can be completely different.

I'm Aundrea Dudik, a local realtor and associate broker right here in the Central Texas area, and I work a ton with people relocating to Temple, Belton, and the surrounding communities. One thing I've learned is that finding the right home really starts with finding the right location. You can find a beautiful house, but if the location doesn't fit your commute, your lifestyle, or the things you want to do, it might not actually be the right house for you.

Today I'm going to walk you through some of the most popular communities in Central Texas and show you how to compare them. I'll cover Temple, Belton, Salado, Troy, Little River Academy, Harker Heights, and Morgan's Point. We'll talk about what makes each area unique, what to expect in terms of pricing and property taxes, and how to figure out which community fits your needs. If you're relocating to Central Texas, this is the guide you need before you start looking at houses.

Table of Contents

• Temple: Central Location with Variety and Mature Trees
• Belton: Lake Living, Historic Downtown, and Builder Incentives
• Salado: Small-Town Charm Along I-35
• Troy: Close-Knit Community with Land and Lower Taxes
• Little River Academy: Rural Feel with Lower Property Taxes
• Harker Heights: Popular with Military and Great Food
• Morgan's Point: Lake Access and Connection to Nature
• Which Central Texas Community is Right for You?
• Conclusion: Start with Location, Then Find Your Home

Temple: Central Location with Variety and Mature Trees

Temple is one of the most popular areas for people relocating to Central Texas, and for good reason. It's centrally located, it has a variety of housing options, and it's home to some of the biggest employers in the region. You've got the VA Hospital, Baylor Scott & White, Temple College, and a ton of shopping and dining. If you're working at Baylor Scott & White, Temple is a really good option because you can be close to work and still have access to everything you need.

One thing I really like about Temple is the variety of neighborhoods. You have historic districts with character and mature trees, established neighborhoods that feel settled and comfortable, and new construction communities that are continuing to grow. The median home price in Temple is around $300,000, which gives you a lot of options depending on what you're looking for. You can find smaller homes, larger homes, homes with big yards, homes closer to shopping, there's a lot of variety here.

Now, here's something that confuses a lot of people who are relocating: Temple and Belton overlap significantly. You can be in the city of Temple but be part of the Belton School District, and vice versa. If school district is a priority for you, that's something we need to discuss up front because I don't want you to miss out on some really awesome homes just because you assumed the city limits matched the school district. Both Temple School District and Belton School District are highly rated, so you have great options either way.

Property taxes in Texas can be higher than what you're used to if you're coming from a state with income tax. We don't have a state income tax here, so the way they offset that is by having a little bit higher property taxes. That said, some of the outskirt areas outside of city limits have lower property tax rates, so if that's a concern for you, we can talk about exemptions and different strategies to manage that.

From Temple, you can get to anywhere in Belton within twenty minutes, and you're close to Troy, Little River Academy, and Salado as well. If you're considering Temple, you might also want to consider some of those surrounding communities depending on what you're looking for in terms of lot size, property taxes, and commute.

Belton: Lake Living, Historic Downtown, and Builder Incentives

Belton is another really popular area, and it's one of my favorites because of its proximity to everything. You're right on Belton Lake, you're really close to Stillhouse Hollow Lake, you have the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, tons of shopping and restaurants, and you still have great access to all of the hospitals and employers in Temple. The median home price in Belton is around $258,000, but I'd say the average is probably closer to $300,000 depending on what you're looking for.

One of the things that makes Belton stand out right now is the builder incentives. As of October 21st, the average interest rate in the market is between 7% and 7.6%, depending on your loan type. A lot of these builders in Belton are offering interest rates between 4.49% and 5%, which is a huge difference. If you're buying a resale home, we can also talk about using some of the seller's money to buy down your interest rate. Home price is important, but interest rate can make a massive difference in your monthly payment, so it's worth exploring all of your options.

Belton has a really charming historic downtown area with the Courthouse Square, locally owned restaurants, shops, and a lot of character. If you like the idea of being able to walk around downtown, grab coffee, or check out local boutiques, Belton has that small-town feel even though it's close to everything. You also have established neighborhoods, newer developments, and some properties with larger lots as you get farther outside of the main part of town.

Because Belton is close to the lake, you can enjoy boating, fishing, and spending time outdoors. We have a ton of hiking and parks in the area, and if you're someone who likes to be near the water, Belton gives you that access without having to drive very far. Belton ISD is highly rated, and like I mentioned with Temple, there's a lot of overlap between the two cities, so you have flexibility in terms of where you live and which school district you're in.

If you're considering Belton, you might also want to look at Morgan's Point, which is a smaller community near Lake Belton. I live out there, so I'm a little partial, but I love the area and I love being near the lake. We'll talk more about Morgan's Point in a bit.

Salado: Small-Town Charm Along I-35

Salado is about fifteen minutes from Temple and Belton, and it's a completely different vibe. Salado is smaller, it has a definite small-town feel, and people really pride themselves on the downtown area. You can ride golf carts around town, walk and stroll through the shops and restaurants, and enjoy Salado Creek. It's so stinking cute, and it has so much character.

Salado is known for its historic village, local boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. If you've ever spent an afternoon walking around downtown Salado, you know it has a pretty unique character. You also have Mill Creek Golf Course if you're into golfing, and there are properties on the golf course if that's something you're interested in.

Now, Salado is a little bit more expensive than Temple or Belton. The median home value is higher, and as you get farther down I-35 and closer to Austin, your price per square foot and your home costs start to go up a little bit. A big part of why I think people are drawn to Central Texas is that lower price point, but Salado still gives you proximity to things. You're about thirty-five minutes from Austin, but you're fifteen minutes from Temple or Belton, so you're not isolated.

One thing to keep in mind is that Salado only has one grocery store, Brookshire Brothers. If you need more shopping options, you're ten to fifteen minutes from Belton, so it's not a big deal, but it's something to be aware of. I've also heard from people that there's not a lot of opportunity to Uber or get delivery in some of the areas in Salado, so if that's something you rely on, you might want to consider how removed you want to be.

Salado offers larger lots and lower property taxes compared to some of the more urban areas, and it's right along I-35 with easy access to Georgetown, Austin, or if you want to shoot up north to the Waco area. If you want small-town charm but you still want proximity to amenities, Salado is a really good option.

Troy: Close-Knit Community with Land and Lower Taxes

Troy is another one of those smaller areas that a lot of people might overlook if they're not familiar with the Central Texas area. Troy is located north of Temple along I-35, and it's about ten minutes to Temple. It's a really close-knit community, and I feel like a lot of people that move to Troy don't ever leave. They either stay there or they keep buying and selling there.

If land is a really big deal to you, Troy is worth considering. You've got homes in town, residential areas, and then just flat-out land. You can get larger lots, lower house prices, and lower property taxes compared to Temple or Belton. Because Troy is so close to Temple, you can still travel into Temple for work, shopping, restaurants, and other conveniences, but you get more space and more privacy.

Troy is a good option if you want a little bit of a rural feel but you don't want to be too far from everything. You're still close enough to Temple that you can get there quickly, but you're in a smaller, quieter community. If you're someone who values land and lower property taxes, Troy is definitely worth a look.

Little River Academy: Rural Feel with Lower Property Taxes

Little River Academy is another outskirt area that offers a more rural feel, larger lots, and lower property taxes. If you're looking for a small-town charm and you want to be a little bit more removed from the busier areas, Little River Academy is a good alternative to Temple or Belton.

Little River Academy is a smaller community, and it's a good option if land is important to you. You're still close enough to Temple and Belton that you can get there for work or shopping, but you have more space and more privacy. Property taxes are lower in Little River Academy compared to some of the more urban areas, so if that's a concern for you, it's worth considering.

I like to think of Troy, Little River Academy, and Lorena as outskirt areas that give you larger lots, lower property taxes, and lower house prices. Lorena is a little bit farther out, about twenty-five to thirty minutes from Temple, but I've had some really fabulous buyers from YouTube who purchased a new construction home in Lorena on an acre lot, and they were able to get a really great price point. If you're willing to drive a little bit farther, you can get a lot more space for your money.

Harker Heights: Popular with Military and Great Food

Harker Heights is a really popular area, especially for people relocating for Fort Hood. Harker Heights is right off Highway 14, and it overlaps a lot with Killeen. You've got residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, restaurants, and access to outdoor recreation around Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Harker Heights and Killeen have some of the best food in the area. I live in the Temple-Belton area, and I'll drive to Harker Heights for food. They've got it.

If you're relocating for Fort Hood, Harker Heights is a good option, but you should also consider Killeen, Nolanville, Copperas Cove, and Lampasas. Copperas Cove and Lampasas are a little bit more of a drive, not a bad commute at all, but they add a little bit more time. If you're looking for larger lots or a little more rural feel, those areas might be a good fit. Nolanville is another one to consider if you're working near Fort Hood.

Now, depending on where you need to be in Harker Heights, you might also want to consider Temple or Belton. There are some really great communities right along Highway 14, like Three Creeks and Morgan's Point. If you're stationed at Fort Hood but you want to be a little bit closer to the lake or you want a different vibe, those communities are worth looking at.

Morgan's Point: Lake Access and Connection to Nature

Morgan's Point is a smaller community near Lake Belton, and it's one of my favorites because I live out there. Morgan's Point is part of Belton ISD, and it offers a lot of variety in terms of price points. You have entry-level homes around $300,000, and you have luxury living over a million dollars. There are newer communities and more established communities, so you have options depending on what you're looking for.

One of the things I love about Morgan's Point is the connection to nature. You've got deer roaming your property, you're close to the lake, and you have access to recreational opportunities like boating and fishing. We have the cutest little park, Clapis Park, with a toddler section and a big kid section. I take my girls there all the time, and it's just a really great community park.

If you're looking for more recreational opportunities, you want that connection to nature, or you want to be near the lake, Morgan's Point is a great option. It's a much smaller community compared to Temple or Belton, but you're still close to everything. You can get to Temple or Belton within twenty minutes, so you're not isolated, but you have that quieter, more secluded feel.

Which Central Texas Community is Right for You?

Now that we've looked at these different communities, let me show you how I would actually use this information if I were moving to Central Texas for the first time. I know it can feel a little overwhelming when you're looking at all these different cities and trying to figure out where to begin.

First, I would figure out where I need to be on a regular basis. Let's say you're moving here because you're going to be working at Baylor Scott & White in Temple. I would start looking at Temple and then explore some of the surrounding communities. Narrow down school districts, property taxes, and what it is exactly you're looking for. Based on this, maybe consider some of the surrounding areas like Troy, Little River Academy, Morgan's Point, or Nolanville, depending on drive time.

But if you're moving here because you're stationed at Fort Hood, then your search might look a little bit different. You might want to start exploring Killeen, but also Harker Heights, Nolanville, Copperas Cove, and Lampasas. Or if you want a little bit of a longer drive, maybe Belton or Salado.

If you're working remotely, you have a little more flexibility. Maybe your priority is finding a home with some acreage, being closer to the lake, or living somewhere that has a little more of a small-town atmosphere. You can play around with these different communities and see what fits your lifestyle.

The second thing I would think about is your lifestyle. Are you someone that eats out a lot, or are you someone that Ubers a lot? One of the biggest things I've heard about Salado, as beautiful as it is, is that there's not a lot of opportunity to Uber or get delivery in some of the areas there. If you're a little bit more removed, you might not have access to those sorts of things. Or are you perfectly happy driving fifteen or twenty minutes if it means you can have a bigger lot, more privacy, more seclusion? I know those people are out there.

Here's a quick comparison to help you think through the trade-offs:

• Choose Temple if you want variety in housing options, mature trees, and proximity to Baylor Scott & White and the VA Hospital.
• Choose Belton if you want lake access, a historic downtown, and access to builder incentives with lower interest rates.
• Choose Salado if you want small-town charm, larger lots, and easy access to Austin while still being close to Temple and Belton.
• Choose Troy if land is a priority, you want lower property taxes, and you're comfortable with a ten-minute drive to Temple.
• Choose Little River Academy if you want a rural feel, lower property taxes, and more space.
• Choose Harker Heights if you're relocating for Fort Hood, you want great food, and you want access to Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
• Choose Morgan's Point if you want lake living, a connection to nature, and a smaller community feel.

Another thing I would do is narrow down two or three of these communities. If you come out here and you want to drive around, if you want me to go with you, we can meet for coffee and tour some of them. Or you can come out here and call me and say, "Aundrea, we really want to look at some communities before we ever meet with you," and that's totally fine. I can give you some recommendations, but narrow down two or three communities and then come out here and really drive around. You don't have to figure out what neighborhood to live in right now. You just want to start identifying what makes sense and familiarizing yourself with these areas.

Conclusion: Start with Location, Then Find Your Home

This map and this guide are really great tools for getting started and familiarizing yourself with the Central Texas area, but they're really just the beginning. Once you've narrowed down the areas you're interested in, that's when we can start getting more specific about neighborhoods, homes, and the details that matter most to you.

If you're thinking about making a move to Central Texas, make sure you check out the interactive map on my site at livinginctx.com. You can hover over different communities, see featured videos, and start to get a sense of where everything is located. And if you're still not sure whether Temple, Belton, Salado, Killeen, Harker Heights, Troy, Nolanville, or any of the surrounding areas is a good fit for you, give me a call and let's talk through it. I can really help you narrow down what might be best for you based on your particular needs and wants.

You can reach out to me anytime and tell me a little bit about what you're looking for. You can find all my contact information below. You can text, call, or email, I'm really easy to get a hold of. Let's schedule a Zoom call or meet for coffee when you're in town, and we can start planning your move to Central Texas.