Abilene TX vs Arvada CO — 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%
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Arvada
122,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Arvada
5.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Arvada
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 122,835 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 40.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.2% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 82.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.0% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 15.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Arvada
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $113,396 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $56,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 50.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $617,536 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 74.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Arvada
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Arvada
3234
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 23.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.1% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.9% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Arvada
28.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 28.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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