Abilene TX vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Glendale
18.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 41.4 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 66.6% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.7% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 18.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $1,205,826 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 35.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, 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%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 64.1°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 30.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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