Abilene TX vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Boise
7.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 38.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.4% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Boise
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $504,894 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Boise
20.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 20.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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