Abilene TX vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 66.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 10.3% | 3.1% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 17.2% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $510,577 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.9% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.2% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 41.6 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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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