Moving from Abilene, TX to Anaheim, CA
It is 1229 mi between Abilene and Anaheim — roughly 21h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1229 mi · 21h 10m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Anaheim is 25.7% more expensive than Abilene on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $210,016 in Abilene to $950,504 in Anaheim, a 25.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.9°F vs 67.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 25.7% more than Abilene at the median — $62,720 → $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1229 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 65.9°F in Abilene (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 25.2 in.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 44.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 352.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1229 mi and the route typically takes 21h 10m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 25.7% higher than Abilene (113.566 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Anaheim, CA.