Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Boise City, ID
🏆 Boise City leads 13 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
126,356
Boise City
Idaho
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4
Median Household Income
$76,402 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
234,192 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $240k less ($161,800 vs $401,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (2.8%)
Rent averages $163/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,223)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 39°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Boise City by $17,148/yr
Boise City, ID
Pros
31% less violent crime than Abilene
Households earn $17,148 more per year on average
More college-educated — 45.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $401,800
Higher unemployment (3.8% vs 2.8%)
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 93.4 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$240k less
$161,800 vs $401,800
Abilene
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
2.8% vs 3.8% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 92.7°F
Boise City
Median Income
$17,148
$76,402 vs $59,254/yr
Boise City
Violent Crime
31% lower
293.8 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Boise City, ID |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.4 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $401,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,223 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $76,402 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 3.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 19.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 68 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 45.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 95.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 38.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 11.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 17.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 234,192 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 18.9% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Boise City's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boise City leads 13 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 10 and Boise City wins 13. 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 Boise City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $401,800 median home), income ($59,254 vs $76,402), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Boise City, ID are about 1,179 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.