Abilene TX vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 68,505 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 66.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 10.3% | 9.0% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 3.1% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,587 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $561,069 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.7% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.3% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 47.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 21.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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