Abilene TX vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 114,617 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 66.6% | 21.0% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 0.4% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.5% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Downey
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $23,265 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.6% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 10.6% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $888,820 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 33.7% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.8% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 33.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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