Abilene vs Oklahoma City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Oklahoma City
The Verdict
Abilene is 8.0% less expensive than Oklahoma City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $81,563 in Oklahoma City 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 $81,563 in Oklahoma City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $68,966 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Oklahoma City
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $195,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 92 in Oklahoma City. 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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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