Abilene TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.6 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.8% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 26.2% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.7% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.9% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $376,530 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.2% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 73.4°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 46.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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