Abilene TX vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Athens
126,987
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Athens
57.6%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 126,987 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Athens + |
| White | 66.6% | 57.6% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 26.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Athens
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $51,655 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $31,836 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 26.3% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $341,821 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 40.5% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Athens
392
Athens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Athens
1752
Athens +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 62.6°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 46.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Athens
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Athens
22.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 22.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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).
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