Abilene TX vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $45,845 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $27,570 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 29.6% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $215,134 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 41.5% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.1% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 41.5 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 19.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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