Abilene TX vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 66.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 10.3% | 7.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 16.2% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $429,253 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.6% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.8% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 37.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 21.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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