Abilene vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Orem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 31.6%, with Abilene being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $109,688 in Orem.
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 $109,688 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $51,282 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Orem
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $528,000. The $349,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $466/month in Orem. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 95 in Orem. 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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $73,504 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $2,007/month in Orem. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 89 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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