Moving from Abilene, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Abilene, TX to Austin, TX covers 219 mi and about 4h 11m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
219 mi · 4h 11m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 183, US 84, US 283 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.5% pricier overall in Austin than Abilene on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 8.5% above Abilene at $210,016 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 36.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.9°F vs 70.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 8.5% above Abilene ($62,720 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 219 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 142.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 45.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 8.5% higher than Abilene (98.066 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 65.9°F in Abilene (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 25.2 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 219 mi and the route typically takes 4h 11m via US 183 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Austin, TX.