Abilene TX vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 74,146 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 38.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.6% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.5% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.0% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 3.2% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Bismarck
3.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $373,227 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.4% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bismarck + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Bismarck
16.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 16.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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