Abilene TX vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 66.6% | 63.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 8.6% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.0% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.1% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $264,957 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 43.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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