Abilene TX vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Columbus
33.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 66.6% | 53.3% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 7.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.8% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $248,749 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.8% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.1% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 40.2 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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