Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Abilene leads 16 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Warren
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
138,588 ✓ 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 4.6 pts lower (2.8%)
22% less violent crime than Warren
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Warren
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Warren, MI
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 2.8%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
22% lower
424.5 vs 541.8 per 100k
Abilene
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
2.8% vs 7.4% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
12.9°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Median Income
$2,379
$61,633 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $169,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 8.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 29.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 16 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 16 and Warren wins 7. 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 Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $169,300 median home), income ($59,254 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Warren, MI are about 1,146 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.