2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Abilene

Texas (TX)

Best for: Military families, students and first-time buyers seeking low housing costs and short commutes

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability81.3/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population131,588

Median Home$183,700

Median Rent$1,157

Median Household Income$62,648

Cost of LivingRPP 90.4 (US=100; BEA 2024)

Average Commute17.5 min

Unemployment3.5% (BLS 2024 annual avg)

Metro AreaAbilene, TX

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

81.3overall

Housing & Financial Reality91.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living94.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability78.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity86.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness79.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion68.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Typical commutes are relatively short, with congestion concentrated on peak periods and major corridors.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.

WalkabilityAbout 37/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.

Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Abilene is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #221 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are housing affordability; short commutes; military and healthcare jobs; universities; family scale. The clearest tradeoffs are heat; limited transit; smaller job market; severe-weather risk. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Abilene feels shaped by housing affordability and its broader west central texas setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS