Abilene TX vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 66.6% | 35.5% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 19.7% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $265,062 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.0% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Abilene +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 38.0% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 24.0% | Abilene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 48.7 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 29.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PAAbilene, TX vs San Antonio, TX