Abilene, TX vs Plano, TX

The cost of living difference between Abilene, TX and Plano, TX is dramatic. Abilene is 36.8% cheaper than Plano, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Abilene has a cost index of 80 while Plano sits at 126, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Abilene is $1,106/month compared to $1,792/month in Plano — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Abilene is more affordable at $178,900 median vs $440,600.

Median household income in Abilene is $62,720 compared to $108,649 in Plano (-42.3%). While Plano is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Abilene spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Plano.