Abilene, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Abilene
77.5
#236 nationally
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Abilene leads in average commute (15.2 min vs 26.8 min). Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $59,254). Abilene leads in cost of living index (93 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#236) | 68.3 (#1322) |
| Population | 129,043 | 967,862 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $222,710 | $504,148 |
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $91,461 |
| Average Commute | 15.2 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 129 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+49.8 | D+39.3 |
C+
77.5 Score
Abilene, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$222,710
Population
129,043
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
31
Southwest
View Abilene, TX →
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →