Abilene TX vs Saint Paul MN — 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%

Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota · Population: 307,762

  • Median HH Income$73,055
  • Median Home Price$297,021
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+43.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Abilene
127,130
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Saint Paul
53.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Saint Paul
N/A

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Saint Paul
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Saint Paul
24.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Abilene & Saint Paul