Abilene TX vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 124,865 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.4 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.8% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.6% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $534,732 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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