Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
San Angelo, TX
🏆 San Angelo 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
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
San Angelo
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$65,040 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
57 ✓ Safer
Population
99,422
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails San Angelo by $5,786/yr
San Angelo, TX
Pros
49% less violent crime than Abilene
Violent crime is well below the national average (218.2 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $5,786 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Property crime (2486.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
San Angelo
Median Income
$5,786
$65,040 vs $59,254/yr
San Angelo
Violent Crime
49% lower
218.2 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | San Angelo, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 90.9 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $171,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $1,037 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $65,040 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 3.2% |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 17.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% ✓ Higher | 7.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 57 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 118⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 86.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | SAN ANGELO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F | 61.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 22.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 1.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 99,422 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 64.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs San Angelo's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Angelo leads 12 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 11 and San Angelo 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 San Angelo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $171,700 median home), income ($59,254 vs $65,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and San Angelo, TX are about 82 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.