| Index | Abilene | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Abilene allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Abilene stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Abilene aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Abilene residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 14 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Abilene. The feedback revealed that 64% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 36% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Abilene is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Abilene, for example, the median home price is 26.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 3.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Abilene boasting a median household income of $79,006, which is 2.9% lower than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Abilene, the utilities index registers 2.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Abilene starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Abilene, the housing index comes in at 19.4% lower than the national average.
The Abilene cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $107,876 | $8,990 | $2,517 | $3,237 |
| Renters | $57,901 | $4,825 | $1,351 | $1,737 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Impact, TX | 42 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Tye, TX | 1,132 | 84 | 16.3% |
| Hawley, TX | 463 | 86 | 13.8% |
| Clyde, TX | 3,915 | 89 | 11.2% |
| Buffalo Gap, TX | 623 | 95 | 5.5% |
| Abilene, TX | 129,386 | 93 | 7.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Topeka, KS | 129,727 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Santa Clara, CA | 130,127 | 241 | 140.7% |
| Simi Valley, CA | 130,307 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Pearland, TX | 130,314 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Athens, GA | 128,427 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Abilene, TX | 129,386 | 93 | 7.1% |
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