Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Abilene leads 16 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Durham
North Carolina
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $155k less ($161,800 vs $316,600)
31% less violent crime than Durham
Rent averages $236/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,296)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $15,456/yr
Durham, NC
Pros
Households earn $15,456 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.3% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 96.6 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
31% lower
424.5 vs 619.2 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$155k less
$161,800 vs $316,600
Abilene
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
2.8% vs 4.3% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
9.4°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 87.0°F
Durham
Median Income
$15,456
$74,710 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 4.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 48.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 87.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 5.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 52.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 16 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 16 and Durham wins 7. 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 Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $316,600 median home), income ($59,254 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Durham, NC are about 1,213 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.