Abilene vs Burlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Burlington
The Verdict
Abilene is 32.2% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $110,625 in Burlington to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $110,625 in Burlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $50,847 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Burlington
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $380,000. The $201,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,068 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $513/month in Burlington. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $972/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $460 in Burlington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $43,303 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 $1,192/month in Burlington. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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