Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $80k less ($161,800 vs $242,200)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.0 pts lower (2.8%)
Rent averages $401/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,461)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
10% less violent crime than South Fulton
11% cheaper overall cost of living than South Fulton
Cons
Median income trails South Fulton by $18,234/yr
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Households earn $18,234 more per year on average
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 96°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
10% lower
424.5 vs 470.5 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$80k less
$161,800 vs $242,200
Abilene
Unemployment
5.0 pp lower
2.8% vs 7.8% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 90.1°F
South Fulton
Median Income
$18,234
$77,488 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $242,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 12.5% ✓ 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 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 15 and South Fulton wins 8. 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $242,200 median home), income ($59,254 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and South Fulton, GA are about 881 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.