Abilene TX vs St. Charles MO — 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%

St. Charles, MO

Missouri · Population: 71,542

  • Median HH Income$55,578
  • Median Home Price$144,200
  • Unemployment4.7%
  • Bachelor's+22.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
St. Charles
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
St. Charles
22.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
St. Charles
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
St. Charles
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
St. Charles
18.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Abilene & St. Charles