Abilene TX vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 97,227 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.7% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 7.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $59,074 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 21.4% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $380,101 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.9% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 45.5 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Fayetteville
19.9 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 19.9 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, 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 660 in Fayetteville. 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, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA