Abilene TX vs Allen TX — 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%
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Allen
107,684
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Allen
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Allen
38.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Allen
55.7%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Allen
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Allen
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 107,684 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 38.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 21.9% | Allen + |
| White | 66.6% | 55.7% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 10.6% | Allen + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 19.6% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.8% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Allen
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Allen
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $129,130 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $54,853 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 4.8% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 56.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Allen
$502,170
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $502,170 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 69.8% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Allen
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Allen
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.7% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.9% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.2% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Allen
74.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 74.6°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 19.5 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Allen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Allen
30.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 30.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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