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City Report · TX

Abilene

Pop. 128,053·45th most expensive in Texas·Abilene rents are up 41.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,017/mo
Year-over-Year
+41.9%
Month-over-Month
+3.6%
vs US Median
+$55
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Abilene · $2,017
More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,017/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$81,000/yr
Local median income
$62,648/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Abilene's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$922
1 BR
$926
2 BR
$1,178
3 BR
$1,536
4 BR+
$1,854
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,178/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,017 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,204/yr
At $2,017/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 41.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+41.9% YoY, +3.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Abilene, TX is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 27.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
128,053
Median income
$62,648
Median age
32.8
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
23%
30.6%
22.4%
13.9%
Under 1823%
18–3430.6%
35–5422.4%
55–6410.1%
65+13.9%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
63.4%
27.1%
White63.4%
Black10.3%
Hispanic27.1%
Asian2.4%
Education (25+)
12.3%
30.3%
30%
27.3%
No HS diploma12.3%
HS diploma30.3%
Some college30%
Bachelor's+27.3%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Abilene, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,026 → $2,017
up 96.6%
Income
$54,493 → $62,648
up 15.0%
Population
125,474 → 128,053
up 2.1%
Renter share
45.5% → 43.9%
-1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
26% → 27.3%
+1.3 pts
Median age
32.1 → 32.8
+0.7 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Abilene, TX has climbed from $1,026 to $2,017, a 96.6% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $62,648 today, compared with $54,493 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 125,474 residents to roughly 128,053. Renters now make up 43.9% of households, compared with 45.5% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Abilene rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Abilene on your salary?

At $2,017/mo, how Abilene rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Abilene rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Abilene. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Abilene

About renting in Abilene, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Abilene is $2,017/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $922/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,178/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $926/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,536/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($62,648/yr), Abilene ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 41.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Abilene an affordable city for renters?

Abilene is considered moderate for renters. At $2,017/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($62,648/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Abilene slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Abilene?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,017/mo in Abilene. The local median household income is $62,648/yr, meaning the typical Abilene household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Abilene?

Rent in Abilene has increased 41.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Abilene neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Abilene are 79605 ($1,718/mo), 79603 ($1,807/mo), and 79601 ($2,218/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Abilene is $2,017/mo.

How does Abilene rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Abilene is one of the pricier cities in Texas for rent, ranking #45 out of 267 tracked cities at $2,017/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Abilene?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Abilene ($2,017/mo): Graham ($1,195/mo), San Angelo ($1,332/mo).

What percentage of Abilene residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Abilene households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Abilene leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Abilene rent compare to the national average?

Abilene's median rent of $2,017/mo is $55 (3%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #45 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $2,017/mo, rent takes ~39% of Abilene's median household income ($62,648/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Abilene 39%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Abilene affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Abilene, TX

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