Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Abilene leads 11 of 21 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
Spokane
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,316 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $125k less ($161,800 vs $286,900)
37% less violent crime than Spokane
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (2.8%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Spokane
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 38°F
Cons
Median income trails Spokane by $4,062/yr
Spokane, WA
Pros
More college-educated — 32.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Households earn $4,062 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 101.0 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
37% lower
424.5 vs 674.9 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$125k less
$161,800 vs $286,900
Abilene
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
2.8% vs 6.2% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
9.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Median Income
$4,062
$63,316 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 101.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $286,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $1,060 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $63,316 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 32.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Abilene leads 11 of 21 categories. Abilene wins 11 and Spokane wins 10. 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $286,900 median home), income ($59,254 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Spokane, WA are about 1,401 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.