Abilene vs Jacksonville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Jacksonville
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 15.8% less than Jacksonville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $89,063 in Jacksonville.
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 $89,063 in Jacksonville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Jacksonville equals $63,158 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Jacksonville
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Jacksonville's 89, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $280,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,400/mo in Jacksonville, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 101 in Jacksonville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $480/month in Jacksonville. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 94 in Jacksonville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $376 in Jacksonville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 95 in Jacksonville. 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 $53,025 in Jacksonville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $55,816 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 $1,237/month in Jacksonville. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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