Abilene TX vs Cape Coral FL — 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%

Cape Coral, FL

Florida · Population: 206,387

  • Median HH Income$76,062
  • Median Home Price$339,638
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+25.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Abilene
127,130
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
4.5%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
1.6%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
25.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
25.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Cape Coral
$339,638
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Cape Coral
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Cape Coral
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Cape Coral
31.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Abilene & Cape Coral