Abilene TX vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.1 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.4% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 10.3% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.2% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Charleston
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $593,739 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.6% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 22.9% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 65.9°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 51.0 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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