Abilene TX vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 71,124 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.0 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 66.6% | 32.4% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.8% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $55,269 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 23.2% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $327,117 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.0% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 41.0% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 49.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.0 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA