Abilene TX vs Austin 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%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Austin
34.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Austin
59.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 66.6% | 59.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 7.5% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 32.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Austin
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Austin
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.5% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $511,264 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.4% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Austin
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Austin
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, 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%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.1% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.0% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Austin
34.9 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.2°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 34.9 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, 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 +
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Austin 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 Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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