Abilene TX vs Akron OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Akron
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Akron
37.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Akron
6.4%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Akron
56.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Akron
4.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Akron
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 189,526 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.4% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 56.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 29.4% | Akron + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 4.1% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Akron
$48,544
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Akron
$29,763
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Akron
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Akron
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Akron
22.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Akron
23.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $48,544 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $29,763 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 22.9% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 23.3% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Akron
50.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $140,512 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.8% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Akron
319
Akron +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Akron
1866
Akron +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Akron
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Akron
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Akron
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Akron
19.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 42.7% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.6% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Akron
37.1 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 37.1 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Akron
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Akron
23.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Akron, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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