Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Anchorage, AK
🏆 Abilene leads 13 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Anchorage
Alaska
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $202k less ($161,800 vs $363,800)
58% less violent crime than Anchorage
Rent averages $345/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,405)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (2.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 21°F
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Anchorage
Cons
Median income trails Anchorage by $36,477/yr
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $36,477 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 96°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $363,800
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,405/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
58% lower
424.5 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$202k less
$161,800 vs $363,800
Abilene
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
2.8% vs 5.2% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
29.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 67.4°F
Anchorage
Median Income
$36,477
$95,731 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Anchorage, AK |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $363,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,405⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $95,731 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 19.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 213⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Anchorage School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 20.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 67.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 22.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 59.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 290,674 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 23.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Anchorage's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 13 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 13 and Anchorage wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Anchorage or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $363,800 median home), income ($59,254 vs $95,731), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Anchorage, AK are about 2,955 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.