Abilene TX vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 58,754 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 10.3% | 0.6% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 0.5% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 8.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Cheyenne
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $41,460 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 30.0% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $388,590 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Cheyenne
17.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 17.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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