Abilene TX vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 115,415 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.9 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 66.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.3% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 13.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $441,257 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 44.6 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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