Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Eugene, OR
🏆 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
Population
126,356
Eugene
Oregon
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $244k less ($161,800 vs $406,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.3 pts lower (2.8%)
Rent averages $209/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,269)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Eugene, OR
Pros
25% less violent crime than Abilene
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Abilene
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$244k less
$161,800 vs $406,000
Abilene
Unemployment
4.3 pp lower
2.8% vs 7.1% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
12.4°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 84.0°F
Eugene
Median Income
$2,227
$61,481 vs $59,254/yr
Eugene
Violent Crime
25% lower
317.9 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Eugene, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $406,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,269 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $61,481 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 18.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 44.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Eugene SD 4J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 45.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 176,755 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 16.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Eugene's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 13 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 13 and Eugene 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 Eugene or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $406,000 median home), income ($59,254 vs $61,481), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Eugene, OR are about 1,492 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.