Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Phoenix leads 12 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Phoenix
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $178k less ($161,800 vs $340,200)
47% less violent crime than Phoenix
Rent averages $262/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,322)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Phoenix
Cons
Median income trails Phoenix by $12,838/yr
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Households earn $12,838 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 59°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 2.8%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
47% lower
424.5 vs 799.6 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$178k less
$161,800 vs $340,200
Abilene
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
2.8% vs 5.2% unemployment
Phoenix
Median Income
$12,838
$72,092 vs $59,254/yr
Phoenix
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 96.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.4 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 56.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 12 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 11 and Phoenix wins 12. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $340,200 median home), income ($59,254 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Phoenix, AZ are about 719 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.