Abilene TX vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 57,088 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.6% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 10.3% | 6.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $1,274,801 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.1% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 28.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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