Abilene TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 66.6% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 10.3% | 4.4% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 26.6% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $435,670 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 71.8°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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