Abilene TX vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.4 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.2% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.0% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.0% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $286,396 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.8% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 70.2°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 50.0 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.0 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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