Abilene TX vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 49.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.0% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $858,307 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 72.5°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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