Abilene TX vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 115,263 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.8 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 66.6% | 46.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $61,228 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $251,699 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 37.7% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.2% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 46.1 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 22.7 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, High Point 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 High Point 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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