Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Tracy, CA
🏆 Abilene leads 13 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
Tracy
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$111,717 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
79 ✓ Safer
Population
94,027
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $456k less ($161,800 vs $617,300)
Rent averages $1102/mo less ($1,060 vs $2,162)
Commutes run 28 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (2.8%)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Tracy
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Tracy by $52,463/yr
Tracy, CA
Pros
Households earn $52,463 more per year on average
29% less violent crime than Abilene
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $617,300
Higher rents — median is $2,162/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 107.4 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Home Value
$456k less
$161,800 vs $617,300
Abilene
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
2.8% vs 5.4% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 93.2°F
Tracy
Median Income
$52,463
$111,717 vs $59,254/yr
Tracy
Violent Crime
29% lower
301.4 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Tracy, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 107.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $617,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $2,162⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $111,717 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 43.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 76 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C- (71) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Jefferson Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 57.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 93.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" | 12.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 94,027 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 64.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 26.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 9.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Tracy's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 13 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 13 and Tracy 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 Tracy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $617,300 median home), income ($59,254 vs $111,717), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Tracy, CA are about 1,277 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.