Abilene TX vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 66.6% | 57.8% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $253,319 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.6% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Kansas City
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 38.5% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 38.9 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene 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%.
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