Abilene TX vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.8 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 66.6% | 44.0% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 14.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Durham
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $399,509 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.8% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 47.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Durham 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 Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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