Abilene TX vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Bend
65.5%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 97,502 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.6 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 66.6% | 65.5% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.8% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 17.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Bend
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Bend
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $735,193 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.8% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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