Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Abilene, TX (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

New York is 134% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,779/mo ↑ 61%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 38%
$79,713/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 21%
$751,700 ↑ 320%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 76%
$1,837/mo ↑ 65%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 39%
8,516,202
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $673/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $8,076/year.

Median household income is $16,993/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Abilene — common questions

Is New York or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Abilene?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $673/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Abilene?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $16,993/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Texas?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for New York and Abilene

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