City Comparison

Abilene vs Hollywood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Abilene

Texas
80
Very Affordable
$179,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

Hollywood

Florida
111
Above Average
$424,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$60,300
Median Income

The Verdict

27.9%

Living in Abilene costs 27.9% less than Hollywood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $104,063 in Hollywood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
58
Abilene
130
Hollywood
Groceries
91
Abilene
104
Hollywood
Utilities
97
Abilene
96
Hollywood
Transportation
89
Abilene
113
Hollywood
Healthcare
96
Abilene
96
Hollywood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $104,063 in Hollywood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $54,054 in Abilene.

Living in Abilene vs Hollywood

Housing Costs

Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $424,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $494/month in Hollywood. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 96 in Hollywood. 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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $54,324 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abilene is 27.9% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,063 in Hollywood, based on the cost of living difference.
Abilene's housing index is 58 with median homes at $179,000, while Hollywood's is 130 with median homes at $424,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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