Abilene TX vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.9 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.4% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 25.6% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.4% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 4.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $44,376 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $31,616 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 25.2% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.1% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 42.2% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 19.2% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 53.7 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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