Abilene TX vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Chandler
62.6%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Chandler
21.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 278,123 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.4 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 66.6% | 62.6% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 21.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Chandler
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Chandler
3.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $524,013 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Chandler
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA