Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Irvine is 261% more expensive than Abilene.

$2,893/mo ↑ 162%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 62%
$129,647/yr ↑ 107%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 52%
$1,115,400 ↑ 523%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 84%
$2,904/mo ↑ 161%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 62%
308,160
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,787/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $21,444/year.

Median household income is $66,927/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Abilene — common questions

Is Irvine or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Abilene?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $1,787/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Abilene?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $66,927/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Abilene details →

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