Abilene TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 66.6% | 59.4% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 13.1% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.3% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $496,966 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 37.3% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 39.2 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 31.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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