Abilene TX vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 66.6% | 39.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.8% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $324,183 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.5% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.0% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 37.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 36.5 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PAAbilene, TX vs San Antonio, TX