Abilene TX vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.6 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.6% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 10.3% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 16.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.9% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 39.4% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 35.6 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 21.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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