Shaped by the railroad since 1881, Temple is now one of the main medical hubs in Central Texas, anchored by Baylor Scott and White Medical Center and a large veterans hospital. It is a working, practical city of about 100,000 rather than a tourist stop, and it has been growing fast, with about 20 percent more people than in 2020.
For a visit, downtown around the old Santa Fe Plaza is the main draw, with breweries, restaurants and a summer music series. The railroad museum fits the town's story, and Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake are close for a day outside. Oktoberfest and the Christmas events on the plaza are popular. Living costs are a bit under the national average, and homes are reasonably priced with new construction all over the southwest side. Austin is about 65 miles south, and Waco is 35 miles north. The tradeoffs are summer heat above 100 degrees, spring tornado and hail risk, and elevated property crime along the I-35 frontage roads.
Trip planning at a glance
Peak season
Baylor Scott and White medical visits, Fort Cavazos events, holiday weekends and football weekends at Baylor (Waco) and Texas A and M
Nearest airport
Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), 3 miles from downtown (general aviation only
Highlights
Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum
Bell County Museum (nearby Belton)
Mayborn Museum (Waco) day trip
Cultural Activities Center and Sammons Park
Miller Park and Wilson Park
Temple Lake Park
Santa Fe Plaza downtown and Santa Fe Summer Music Series
Out of 10. Open any score to see how it’s worked out. “Data-based” scores come from published figures; “Hey! En Route estimate” scores are worked out from what we know about the city; “Hey! En Route rating” scores were set by our editors.
6.0/10Good
Connector Score8.5
11 worthwhile cities within three hours; reachable by road, intercity train, and air; lodging and sights for an overnight stop. Hey! En Route estimate
Safety5.0
About 600 violent crimes per 100,000 people a year; the US average is about 370. Data-based
Affordability7.2
Cost of living index about 93, where the national average is 100. Data-based
Transportation7.0
Reachable by: road, intercity train, and air. Hey! En Route estimate
Car-free friendliness4.5
Intercity train or bus, plus local transit and walkability. Hey! En Route estimate
Walkability4.1
Estimated from city size and transit; no walkable downtown noted. Hey! En Route estimate
Things to do6.3
Known for 7 kinds of attraction, with 7 annual events listed. Hey! En Route estimate
Food & dining6.5
A known food scene, weighted by city size. Hey! En Route estimate
Places to stay5.6
Lodging at budget, mid-range and luxury prices. Hey! En Route estimate
Nature & outdoors3.5
Known for lakes & rivers. Hey! En Route estimate
Scenic value4.0
From its landscape: coast, mountains, lakes and parks. Hey! En Route estimate
Family friendliness4.5
Zoos, aquariums, theme parks and museums, weighted by safety. Hey! En Route estimate
Solo-traveler friendliness4.8
Safety, getting around without a car, hostels, and things to do. Hey! En Route estimate
Nightlife5.0
Estimated from city size and live music. Hey! En Route estimate
Remote-work friendliness5.9
City size, affordability, cafés and connections. Hey! En Route estimate
Road-trip convenience6.5
11 worthwhile cities within three hours’ drive, plus parking, EV charging and RV options. Hey! En Route estimate
Train-trip convenience7.0
Intercity train service, with 13 nearby cities reachable by rail. Hey! En Route estimate
Bus-trip convenience1.5
No intercity bus service noted. Hey! En Route estimate
Wheel of Bell County; Railroad and medical hub of Central Texas; Home of Baylor Scott and White Medical Center
Founded
1881 founded (railroad town created by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, named for engineer Bernard Moore Temple); 1882 incorporated
Languages
English; Spanish; Czech heritage communities nearby; small Vietnamese and Korean communities
Airports
Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), about 3 miles from downtown (general aviation only, no scheduled airline service); Killeen-Fort Hood Regional (GRK), about 25 miles west; Waco Regional (ACT), about 35 miles north; Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS), about 65 miles south
Tipping
Restaurants 18-20%; bars $1-2 per drink; taxis and rideshare 15-20%; hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night; bellhops $2-5 per bag; food delivery 15-20%; counter service optional
Community signals
Not enough responses yet to show a trend.
Temple City Circle
For people considering Temple, visiting soon, living there for a while, or comparing it with somewhere else.
Population 98,412 (July 1, 2025) and land area 71.17 sq mi are from Census QuickFacts; median value and rent from Census ACS 2020-2024. Metro 511,497 (2025) is the FRED Census estimate for the Killeen-Temple MSA, shared with Killeen. Nicknames are lower confidence. Elevation, coordinates, founding, event months, hotel ranges, tipping, cost-of-living index, airport distances, crime figures and 1BR rent are approximate or from general knowledge and not verified in this pass (lower confidence). Official URLs found via search but not load-tested.
Last verified September 25, 2026 · Source: Research spreadsheet · Editorial ·
Neighborhoods
7 areas to know, and who each one suits.
Downtown Temple
Historic, railroad district
Bellaire
Residential
Christmas Tree
Older suburban
Wilson Park area
Established
Southwest Temple
Newer, affluent
Meadow Lake area
Residential
Baylor Scott and White medical district
No neighborhood matches that.
Where to base yourself
Along I-35 and Highway 190 for chain hotels and easy highway access
near the Baylor Scott and White medical district for medical travelers
Downtown Temple for railroad heritage and nightlife
Salado (short drive) for boutique inns. Tiers: budget motels on I-35
Per person per day, with a room shared by two. Change anything below to fit your trip.
Budget
$88/day
Lodging about $75 a night
Mid-range
$137/day
Lodging about $123 a night
Luxury
$233/day
Lodging about $205 a night
Budget calculator
Vehicle
mpg
These are estimates from typical prices, not quotes. Real costs vary with season, events, booking time and your own habits; taxes and fees are approximate.
Cost of living
For longer stays and relocation.
Cost of living index
93 (national average = 100)
Typical 1-bedroom rent
$1,125a month
Research notes
Roughly 90-95 versus US=100 (approximate, common indices; not verified in this pass); typical 1BR rent about $1,000-1,250 per month (Census median gross rent for all units $1,231)
Research notes on prices and seasons
Hotels per night: budget $60-90; mid-range $95-150; luxury $160-250 (boutique inns in nearby Salado). Peak times are Baylor Scott and White medical visits, Fort Cavazos events, holiday weekends and football weekends at Baylor (Waco) and Texas A and M. Rough daily visitor budget excluding lodging: $50-100
Top sights
Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum
Bell County Museum (nearby Belton)
Mayborn Museum (Waco) day trip
Cultural Activities Center and Sammons Park
Miller Park and Wilson Park
Temple Lake Park
Santa Fe Plaza downtown and Santa Fe Summer Music Series
Safety information is a guide from public data and our research, not a guarantee. Conditions change; check local news and official advice before you go.
5.0
Fair · Data-based
About 600 violent crimes per 100,000 people a year; the US average is about 370.
Safety overview
Violent crime rate is near to somewhat above the US average (roughly 400-550 per 100k, approximate) and property crime is elevated; vehicle theft and break-ins are the main visitor risk. Hospitals: Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Temple (major regional hospital and trauma center), Temple VA medical center (Olin E. Teague Veterans Medical Center). Hazards: severe thunderstorms, hail, tornado risk (spring), flash flooding, summer heat above 100F, occasional winter ice storms, high cedar and oak pollen in winter and spring
Local notes
Specific places where extra care is worthwhile, especially at night. Most visits are trouble-free.
Some blocks in older east and north Temple and along parts of the I-35 frontage roads have higher property crime; use ordinary caution at night there. Downtown, southwest Temple and the medical district are generally comfortable for visitors
Times marked “est.” are estimates: drives use typical road distances at highway speeds, and train or bus times assume both cities have service. Always check a route planner and timetables before you travel.
Route ideas
Suggested by Hey! En Route from the best-connected next stops. Save one to your routes and make it your own.
2-day trip
Temple (1 night)
3-day trip
Temple (1 night) → Austin (1 night)
About 68 mi, 1 h 15 min of travel
5-day trip
Temple (2 nights) → Austin (1 night) → San Antonio (1 night)
About 147 mi, 2 h 46 min of travel
7-day trip
Temple (2 nights) → Austin (1 night) → San Antonio (1 night) → Corpus Christi (1 night)
About 290 mi, 5 h 13 min of travel
10-day trip
Temple (2 nights) → Austin (2 nights) → San Antonio (1 night) → Corpus Christi (1 night) → Houston (1 night)
