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

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• 2025 Top 100 Best Place to Live
• Best Places to Live in Texas

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 in Abilene, thanks to its many outdoor amenities, including Abilene State Park, an excellent outpost for hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping and stargazing.

The nearly 128,000 people who call Abilene home know that this city means business. Young professionals are finding that Abilene is a great place for startups to thrive and has a variety of growing industries in nearly every sector. The regional workforce of more than 140,000 people generates nearly $7 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 in Abilene! This West Texas city is also a magical spot for families with young children: Abilene is known as the “Storybook Capital of America,” thanks in part to the whimsical sculptures throughout town starring book characters, including several from Dr. Seuss’s 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. Abilene 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.

Nicknamed the center of the “West Texas Universe,” Abilene is the largest city in the West-Central portion of the Lone Star State. Situated along Interstate 20, it’s 173 miles west of Dallas and 148 miles east of Midland. Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) offers several flights daily to the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Or, if you’re up for getting there yourself, Abilene is a 2-hour drive from the DFW area.

Abilene, TX, has a subtropical climate, which means summers are hot and humid, and winters are generally mild. The average highs and lows are 93°F and 71°F (summer) and 58°F and 34°F (winter). Abilene averages 3 inches of snow per year and 243 days of sunshine, meaning it’s easy to enjoy the outdoors year-round.

Health care, education and manufacturing and information technology are a few of the significant industries in Abilene. However, the city has a diverse economy where industries all over the board are growing. Some of the largest employers in the area include Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene Independent School District and Hendrick Health.

Abilene has an ever-changing and evolving economy, thanks to its massive network of young professionals injecting the city with innovation. The city is proud to claim the largest network of young professionals in West Texas, and there are more than 570 members in Abilene Young Professionals.  

The cost of living in Abilene, TX, is below the national average. The median home value in Abilene comes right in at $182,377, and the median household income is $61,083. 

There’s no state income tax in Texas. In 2025, the sales tax rate in Abilene is 8.25%. 

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Located just seven miles south of Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene is a hub for military members and families. Dyess supports over 13,000 military personnel, including officers, enlisted, retirees, civilian employees and family members. Abilene’s strong support for the military is a major draw, with many airmen choosing to retire here and others requesting to have Abilene be 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 percent military family students.

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As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, including the endless number of things to do in Abilene. 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 a myriad of other ways to have fun in Abilene. 

Abilene, TX, has a massive arts presence and plenty of big-city amenities, like museums and galleries, performing arts organizations including a ballet and a philharmonic orchestra, not to mention public art installations and and a free monthly ArtWalk. Abilene is a great place for music lovers to plant roots, as the city is home to nearly a dozen different live music venues as well as the annual Outlaws & Legends Music Fest. 

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From hiking and biking on numerous trails to golfing and fishing at local lakes, there are plenty of things to do outside in Abilene, TX. 

Summers in Abilene can be warm, but there are plenty of ways to cool off. Picnic on the shady banks of Elm Creek, rent a kayak at Lake Abilene or take a dip in the historic swimming pool at Abilene State Park. Abilene State Park, located less than 20 miles from downtown, is a 530-acre state park next to Lake Abilene, providing 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, which is a popular bird-watching spot. At Lake Fort Phantom, you can swim, fish, ski and even sail and windsurf.

Cool off in the summer at Adventure Cove, a pirate-themed waterpark with slides, a lazy river, a pool and concessions.

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Abilene’s dining scene isn’t just steak and potatoes. There is a huge foodie scene here with everything from farm-to-table favorites to international delights, coffee houses and food trucks. Don’t know where to start?  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.

And you won’t want to pass up the barbecue. Texas barbecue is world-famous for its cowboy-style, mesquite-smoked, fall-apart-tender meats, and naturally, Abilene offers several choice establishments to sample its unique flavors.

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