Abilene TX vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 107,846 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 66.6% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 10.3% | 3.3% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.0% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 3.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $29,900 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 24.3% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $248,262 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.5% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.1% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.2% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Dearborn
33.9 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 33.9 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 22.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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