Abilene TX vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 66.6% | 61.8% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 6.6% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 8.2% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $871,599 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.0% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 37.5 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 28.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Seattle 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 Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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