Abilene TX vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 106,274 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.2% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 21.8% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $970,905 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.9% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 21.0 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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