Abilene TX vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 102,558 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 10.3% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 22.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $58,568 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.5% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.4% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 25.0% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Wichita Falls
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Wichita Falls
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.4% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 28.9 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Wichita Falls 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%.
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