Abilene vs Davenport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Davenport
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 3.6% less than Davenport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $77,813 in Davenport.
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 $77,813 in Davenport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $72,289 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Davenport
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $212,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $461/month in Davenport. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $332 in Davenport. 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 97 in Davenport. 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 $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $79,759 respectively. Davenport residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,545/month in Davenport. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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