Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Dearborn, MI
🏆 Abilene leads 13 of 22 categories
Abilene
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
Dearborn
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$64,600 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
108,414
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (2.8%)
Homes cost $28k less ($161,800 vs $189,400)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Rent averages $145/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,205)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Dearborn
Cons
Median income trails Dearborn by $5,346/yr
Dearborn, MI
Pros
31% less violent crime than Abilene
More college-educated — 34.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,346 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 2.8%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$28k less
$161,800 vs $189,400
Abilene
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
2.8% vs 6.8% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
12.8°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 83.6°F
Dearborn
Median Income
$5,346
$64,600 vs $59,254/yr
Dearborn
Violent Crime
31% lower
292.6 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Dearborn, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $189,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,205 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $64,600 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 6.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 21.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 95 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 34.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 85.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Dearborn City School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 32.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 35.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 30.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 108,414 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 69.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 28.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Dearborn's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Abilene leads 13 of 22 categories. Abilene wins 13 and Dearborn wins 9. 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 Dearborn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $189,400 median home), income ($59,254 vs $64,600), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Dearborn, MI are about 1,131 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.