Cost of Living: Gainesville, FL vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Gainesville

Florida
81
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Gainesville is 14% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,214/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 9%
$45,611/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 38%
$235,000 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 24%
$1,167/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 5%
143,611
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

31.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Gainesville, FL and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 81 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $108/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $1,296/year.

Median household income is $17,109/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Gainesville is $235,000 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gainesville vs Abilene — common questions

Is Gainesville or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Gainesville and Abilene?
Median rent in Gainesville is $1,214/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $108/month.
Which city has higher income, Gainesville or Abilene?
Median household income is $45,611 in Gainesville and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $17,109/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Gainesville or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with median rent of $1,214/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Gainesville details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Gainesville and Abilene

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