Abilene vs Arlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Arlington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.7%, with Abilene being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $90,000 in Arlington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $90,000 in Arlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Arlington equals $62,500 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Arlington
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Arlington's 86, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $260,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,300/mo in Arlington, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 96 in Arlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $456/month in Arlington. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 99 in Arlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $396 in Arlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 100 in Arlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $60,138 in Arlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $62,644 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,403/month in Arlington. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases