Abilene TX vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 66.6% | 28.7% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 25.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.6% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $664,939 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 28.8% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 40.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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