Abilene TX vs Anchorage AK — 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%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Anchorage
34.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Anchorage
58.3%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.9 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.3% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.3% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Anchorage
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,233 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 37.7% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $414,014 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 780 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1849 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Anchorage
18.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Anchorage
14.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.2% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 16.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Anchorage
20.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 20.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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