Abilene TX vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 66.6% | 50.4% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 5.7% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $1,006,261 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.6% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.9 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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