Abilene TX vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.4% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 21.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.2% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 38.3% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 37.6 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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