Abilene TX vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 100,501 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 40.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 66.6% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 10.3% | 3.7% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 5.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Carmel
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $570,592 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 42.2 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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