Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Irving, TX
🏆 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
Irving
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $98k less ($161,800 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $363/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,423)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $17,432/yr
Irving, TX
Pros
35% less violent crime than Abilene
Households earn $17,432 more per year on average
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (4.1% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$98k less
$161,800 vs $259,500
Abilene
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
2.8% vs 4.1% unemployment
Irving
Median Income
$17,432
$76,686 vs $59,254/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
35% lower
275.4 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Irving, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $259,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,423⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $76,686 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 4.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 14.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 79.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | IRVING ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 56.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 95.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 37.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 1.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 254,962 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 37.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 26.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 8.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Irving's 103.3 (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 Irving 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 Irving or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $259,500 median home), income ($59,254 vs $76,686), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Irving, TX are about 163 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.