Living in Abilene, TX
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• Livability Partner
• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Abilene, TX? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Abilene, TX

Warm weather, short commutes and a low cost of living make it easy to see why so many people love living in Abilene, TX. Those who love the outdoors will feel at home here, thanks to its many outdoor amenities, including Abilene State Park, an excellent outpost for hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping and stargazing.

The 129,318 people who call Abilene home know that this city means business. Young professionals are finding that this city is a great place for startups to thrive, with a variety of growing industries across nearly every sector. The regional workforce of more than 130,000 people generates almost $10 billion in gross domestic output annually. Located just 15 minutes from Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene is a great place for military families.

But it isn’t all work and no play! This West Texas city is also a magical spot for families with young children: It’s known as the “Storybook Capital of America,” thanks in part to the whimsical sculptures (more than 30!) throughout town featuring book characters, including several from Dr. Seuss’ books. The city is also home to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, the first museum to showcase artwork from children’s books. There’s an incredible zoo, splash pads and a state-of-the-art Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center. Residents can also enjoy the city’s thriving culinary scene – determining which local barbecue establishment is your favorite is pretty much a rite of passage.

Top Reasons to Move to Abilene

• Abilene is affordable, offering residents a high quality of life with a low cost of living.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Abilene, and the city is a hub for startups and young professionals.
• Just minutes from Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene is a top choice for military families and veterans.
• Abilene is family-friendly with excellent schools and plenty of kid-friendly attractions.

Abilene is a charming city in west-central Texas, approximately 180 miles west of Fort Worth, easily accessible via Interstate 20. Abilene Regional Airport is just 6 miles from downtown, providing easy connections to major cities via American Eagle, and other carriers have added more direct routes this year. Nearby major cities include:

• Lubbock, 175 miles northwest, offers the Buddy Holly Center, National Ranching Heritage Center and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra.
• Dallas, 200 miles east, is home to the Sixth Floor Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art and nearby AT&T Stadium.
• San Antonio, 266 miles southeast, where you can stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk, remember the Alamo or take in the Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Abilene residents enjoy a semi-arid climate characterized by sun-drenched summers and mild winters. The area is known for its dry conditions and occasional strong winds amid the rolling plains of West Texas.

Health care and services, retail trade and educational services are among the significant economic industries in Abilene; however, the city has a diverse economy, with plentiful opportunities and industries across the board growing. Some of the largest employers in the area include Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene Independent School District and Hendrick Health.

Thanks to its massive network of young professionals injecting the city with innovation, Abilene has an ever-changing and evolving economy. The city is proud to claim the largest network of young professionals in West Texas, with roughly 600 members in Abilene Young Professionals.  

The cost of living in Abilene is below the national average. The median home value in Abilene is $191,082, and the average household income is $64,437. 

There’s no state income tax in Texas. In 2026, the sales tax rate in Abilene is 8.25%.

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Located roughly 7 miles southwest of Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene is a hub for military members and families. Dyess supports over 13,500 military personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel, retirees, civilian employees and family members. The city’s strong support for the military is a major draw, with many service members choosing to retire here and others requesting to have Abilene as their home base. 

Thanks to the city’s close-knit vibe and amenities for young families, including Dyess Elementary School, Abilene is a great place for military families. In 2020, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee helped land a $962,607 grant to support the construction of a STEM facility at the new Dyess Elementary School, which is made up of 65.7% military family students.

Transitioning military members and veterans especially love building their lives here, thanks to the numerous opportunities, resources and support available to them. In fact, Abilene is a 12-time winner of the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award (Abilene Trophy), a national record.

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As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, including the endless number of things to do in Abilene, TX. You can live out your Western dream by attending a rodeo, visiting a working ranch or two-stepping at an authentic dance hall. But, of course, there are myriad other ways to have fun here. 

Abilene has a massive arts presence and plenty of big-city amenities, including museums and galleries, performing arts organizations such as Broadway, a ballet and a philharmonic orchestra, as well as public art installations and coworking spaces for artists at the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA). The city is also home to the Historic Paramount Theatre. Abilene is a great place for music lovers to plant roots, as the city is home to nearly a dozen different live music venues, a monthly ArtWalk and the annual Outlaws & Legends Music Fest, which features two days of live country music on The Back Porch of Texas. 

For families, there’s no better way to get to know the city than by embarking on a Storybook Sculpture Scavenger Hunt. There’s history on every corner here, from the historic downtown to the Swenson House mansion and grounds. For sports lovers, Abilene is home to Abilene Christian University, which competes in more than a dozen Division I sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball.

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There are plenty of outdoor activities in Abilene, TX, from hiking and biking on numerous trails to golfing and fishing at local lakes.

Summers here can be warm, but there are plenty of ways to cool off. Picnic on the shady banks of Elm Creek or rent a kayak at Lake Abilene. This summer, residents can take a dip in the historic swimming pool at Abilene State Park, which underwent major renovations in 2025. Located less than 20 miles from downtown, the 530-acre state park next to Lake Abilene provides ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding and camping. Fishing and boating are allowed at Lake Kirby Park & Nature Play Area, which also features pavilions and a beautiful boardwalk that’s popular among birdwatchers. At Lake Fort Phantom, you can swim, fish, ski and even sail and windsurf.

You can also cool off at Adventure Cove, a pirate-themed waterpark with slides, a lazy river, a pool and concessions.

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The local dining scene isn’t just steak and potatoes. Foodies appreciate the wide range of locally owned eateries, including award-winning restaurants, international cuisine, coffeehouses and a robust food truck scene. 

Foodies can find a sampling of Texas flavors with a twist, including world-famous Texas barbecue. Cowboy-style, mesquite-smoked, fall-apart-tender meats define Texas barbecue. Naturally, the city offers several choice establishments to sample its unique flavors, and locals love spots like The Shed and Jay’s BBQ Shack. But, of course, Abilene goes beyond the basics, too. There is a huge foodie scene here with everything from farm-to-table favorites to international delights.

Don’t know where to start? That’s okay! Abilene Food Tours pairs craft beers, wines and cocktails with samplings from local restaurants. Venture down to Abilene’s SoDA district, where you’ll find more than a dozen wineries, bars, breweries, cafes and restaurants.

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Abilene schools get an A for effort – and for test scores! The Abilene Independent School District (AISD) and the Wylie Independent School District (WISD) primarily serve the city. Because of the region’s deep military roots, schools like Dyess Elementary School are recognized for their commitment to supporting the military community, students and their families. In fact, Dyess Elementary is a Purple Star Campus, a designation given by the state that recognizes schools that go above and beyond to help military-connected students navigate transitions and parental deployments. There are also several religiously affiliated and preparatory schools in the area.