Abilene, TX vs Huntsville, TX

Abilene, TX and Huntsville, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Abilene scores 80 while Huntsville scores 83 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Abilene is $1,106/month compared to $981/month in Huntsville — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Huntsville has cheaper rent, Abilene actually has lower median home values ($178,900 vs $225,800).

Median household income in Abilene is $62,720 compared to $45,401 in Huntsville (+38.1%). Abilene offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Huntsville.