French drain cost in Killeen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $530 – $1,850
- Per linear ft
- $8.80 – $31
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #278
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Killeen, TX usually costs $530 to $1,850 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $8.80 to $31 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $160 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.12 an hour in the Killeen area, 20% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Killeen, TX, standard level
$920 to $1,450
About $15.50 to $24 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $450 | $710 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $920 | $1,450 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Killeen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 51% |
| Labor | $260 | $580 | $900 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $530 | $1,200 | $1,850 | 100% |
Why Killeen prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, pipelayers at 20%. Weighted together, Killeen wages are 0.82 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Killeen is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $610 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.1: $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Killeen. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Killeen
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Killeen the blend is 0.82.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $18.12 an hour, which is 20% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.28 and $22.05 an hour. BLS counts 940 of them working in the area, 62.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.88 an hour, 21% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.62 and $26.63 an hour. About 570 work in the metro. That is 37.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Killeen metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $21.93 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.17 and $23.79 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $60 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $15. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 5.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Killeen-Temple has 150,580 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 155th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.28 | $18.12 | $22.05 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $18.62 | $22.88 | $26.63 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $19.17 | $21.93 | $23.79 | $23.56 | 0.93 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Killeen
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Killeen. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from short run (30 linear ft) to long run (120 linear ft).
Basic
$530 to $1,050
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$920 to $1,450
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,300 to $1,850
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $260 – $530 | $460 – $720 | $660 – $920 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $530 – $1,050 | $920 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $1,850 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,100 | $1,850 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,700 |
Killeen against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Killeen. College Station is the lowest at about $1,150 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TXthis page | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | |
| Waco, TX40 miles | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | level |
| Austin, TX65 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +6% |
| College Station, TX85 miles | $520 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −1% |
| Dallas, TX125 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX130 miles | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | +1% |
| Texas (statewide) | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +14% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Killeen ranks #278 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Killeen is 5% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +10% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +7% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +6% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | +1% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $490 – $1,750 | $1,100 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Killeen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +13% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | +3% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | +1% |
Related projects, priced for Killeen
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Killeen wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−8%) and gravel driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,250 – $12,200 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,150 – $8,850 | −13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −8% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,600 | −12% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,850 | −12% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $31,800 – $99,400 | −12% |
French drain: what moves the price in Killeen
Where the water goes
A sump pump adds $500-$1,800 and a dry well $50-$3,000+. Discharging to a storm drain can mean extra permit fees.
Depth and soil
Rocky or clay soil and long trenches raise excavation time.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
Killeen weather and the french drain calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Killeen (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Killeen are October through May: 8 of 12. Outside them, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Killeen gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, September and October (4.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 2.2 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 105 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 36 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Feb | 63 | 40 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 54 | 2.1 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 63 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 70 | 3.2 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 72 | 2.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 73 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 90 | 67 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 56 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 69 | 46 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 38 | 2.4 | Workable |
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Detailed french drain report for Killeen, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Killeen, TX: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
French drain in Killeen: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Killeen?
For 60 linear ft, expect $530 to $1,850 in the Killeen area. A standard-spec job lands at $920 to $1,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Killeen?
About $8.80 to $31 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $35.
+Is French drain cheaper in Killeen or Waco?
Waco is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,200, which is 0% less than Killeen ($1,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Killeen?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $580 out of $1,200. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Killeen?
$530 to $1,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Killeen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Killeen area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Killeen expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Texas?
Killeen is 5% below the Texas statewide estimate ($1,250 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Killeen?
The BLS median is $18.12 an hour in the Killeen area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.28 to $22.05.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Killeen?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $530 to $1,050 and premium work $1,300 to $1,850. Basic means: shallow yard drain, easy digging. Premium means: deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge.
+When is the best time to install a French drain in Killeen?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. February and April are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
French drain near Killeen
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a French Drain Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split (44% labor, 48% materials). It is a category average, not a French-drain figure, so the materials line here is a rough one.