Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Palm Coast, FL
🏆 Abilene leads 10 of 19 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 ✓ Larger
Palm Coast
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$68,824 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
91,082
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $122k less ($161,800 vs $283,300)
Rent averages $561/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,621)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (2.8%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Palm Coast
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Palm Coast by $9,570/yr
Palm Coast, FL
Pros
Households earn $9,570 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 96°F
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 59°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,621/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (4.1% vs 2.8%)
Longer commutes — 28.0 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$122k less
$161,800 vs $283,300
Abilene
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
2.8% vs 4.1% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 87.8°F
Palm Coast
Median Income
$9,570
$68,824 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Coast, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $283,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,621⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $68,824 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 4.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 13.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | FLAGLER |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 87.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 91,082 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 50.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 77.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 29.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Palm Coast's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Abilene leads 10 of 19 categories. Abilene wins 10 and Palm Coast 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 Palm Coast or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $283,300 median home), income ($59,254 vs $68,824), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Palm Coast, FL are about 1,112 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.