Abilene vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Midland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.0%, with Abilene being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $86,250 in Midland.
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 $86,250 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $65,217 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Midland
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $269,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $456/month in Midland. 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 Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 110 in Midland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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