Abilene, Texas, known as the "Friendly Frontier," is a city that combines a rich history with modern amenities. Located in the heart of West Texas, Abilene offers a welcoming community, a variety of cultural attractions, and a strong sense of tradition. The city's historic downtown area and vibrant arts scene make living in Abilene an appealing place to live.
Residents of Abilene enjoy a variety of recreational activities and community events. The city boasts numerous parks, sports facilities, and cultural institutions, including the Abilene Zoo and the Grace Museum. The Abilene State Park, located nearby, offers opportunities for camping, hiking, and fishing, providing a natural retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.
Abilene is home to several higher education institutions, including Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. These institutions contribute to the city's educational and cultural environment, offering a range of events, performances, and academic opportunities. The presence of these universities supports a youthful and dynamic population.
The cost of living in Abilene is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market offers a variety of options, from historic homes in established neighborhoods to new developments in suburban areas. The city's economy is supported by industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Public transportation in Abilene is provided by CityLink, which operates bus routes throughout the city. The city's layout is car-friendly, with well-maintained roads and highways facilitating easy commutes. Abilene's climate features hot summers and mild winters, with plenty of sunshine year-round, allowing for a variety of outdoor activities regardless of the season. Overall, Abilene offers a blend of historical charm, modern conveniences, and a strong sense of community.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Abilene, Texas is a medium-sized city with a population of 124,691 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Abilene is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Abilene are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 15% of the population also speak Spanish. Abilene could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 32 years old is below the nation’s average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Abilene offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Abilene, Texas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, health & safety, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Abilene and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Abilene to Texas and the national average.
With a livability score of 73 out of 100, Abilene is ranked #4,024 in the United States and #159 in Texas. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Abilene has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Abilene, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (D).
Abilene has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Abilene has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Abilene are: Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas!, and Prime Time Family Entertainment Center.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Abilene has an unemployment rate of 1.97% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Abilene excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Abilene is actually affordable. The median home price for Abilene homes is $131,300, which is 8% lower than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Abilene, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 3.8% lower than the Texas average.
| Statistic | Abilene | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.3% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.8% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.6% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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