Abilene TX vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 49.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 5.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $55,653 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 23.3% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $229,993 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.7°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 46.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Columbia
18.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 18.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Columbia 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 Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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