Abilene TX vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.9 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 66.6% | 40.7% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 20.1% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $429,449 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.2% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.6% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 27.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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