Abilene TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.1 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.0% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 24.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 19.8% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $435,532 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.4% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.3% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.5% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 48.1 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 27.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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