salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 15.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,800 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 145 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Abilene?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Abilene
| Size | Abilene | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $880 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $941 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,197 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,597 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,728 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Abilene overall?
Everyday prices in the Abilene metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Abilene
Life in Abilene
What jobs pay in Abilene
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,660 | 11.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,120 | 11.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,550 | 11.7% |
| Lawyer | $122,560 | 12.2% |
| Software Developer | $103,760 | 14.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,600 | 16.0% |
| Operations Manager | $86,200 | 17.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,960 | 18.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,240 | 18.6% |
| Firefighter | $78,380 | 19.1% |
| Police Officer | $76,070 | 19.6% |
| Accountant | $75,410 | 19.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $73,550 | 20.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,950 | 24.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,980 | 25.3% |
| Truck Driver | $54,720 | 27.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $54,330 | 27.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $53,480 | 27.9% |
| Plumber | $51,790 | 28.8% |
| Electrician | $47,400 | 31.5% |
| Carpenter | $43,030 | 34.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,550 | 39.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,460 | 39.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,830 | 40.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,810 | 41.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,180 | 49.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,530 | 50.6% |
| Cashier | $27,130 | 55.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,520 | 66.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Abilene?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $30 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $183,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,370 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Abilene, TX?
Renting in Abilene costs a median of about $1,245 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Abilene?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,800 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Abilene cheap or expensive?
Abilene is rated OK: rent takes 22.1% of the typical household income of $67,566. It ranks 145th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Abilene?
The median homeowner in Abilene pays $2,699 a year in property taxes, about 1.47% of the median home value.
Is Abilene more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Abilene?
The median home value in Abilene is $183,700, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
128,053 people live in Abilene. Numbers are typical (middle) values.