Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Pittsburgh, PA
🏆 Abilene leads 14 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4
Median Household Income
$60,187 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
303,843 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 37°F
Rent averages $93/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,153)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Pittsburgh
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Pittsburgh, PA
Pros
More college-educated — 46.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Smaller class sizes — 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 2.8%)
Snowy winters — about 44" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 94.4 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
2.8% vs 5.7% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
13.4°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 83.0°F
Pittsburgh
Median Income
$933
$60,187 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Pittsburgh, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 94.4 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $171,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,153 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $60,187 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 17.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 112⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 109⚠ 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 | 11.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 46.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Pittsburgh SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 36.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 41.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 44.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 303,843 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 47.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 14.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Pittsburgh's 94.4 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 14 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 14 and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $171,800 median home), income ($59,254 vs $60,187), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Pittsburgh, PA are about 1,225 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.