Abilene TX vs Bellingham WA — 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 92,367 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 66.6% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.3% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 18.3% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $669,185 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.2% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.7% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 35.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Bellingham
20.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 20.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA