Abilene TX vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 66.6% | 47.8% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 18.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.9% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $793,154 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 35.4% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.7% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 43.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 33.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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