Abilene TX vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 38.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 66.6% | 49.2% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $426,069 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.5% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.4°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 27.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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