Abilene TX vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 75,721 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 66.6% | 48.7% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 6.8% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $765,686 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.2% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 40.1 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA