Moving from Abilene, TX to El Paso, TX
Relocating between Abilene, TX and El Paso, TX is a 455 mi drive — 7h 37m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
455 mi · 7h 37m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.5% above Abilene — $210,016 → $234,775 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.8 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.5% lower in El Paso than Abilene.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Abilene and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 65.9°F in Abilene (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 25.2 in.
Is El Paso more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 0.5% lower than Abilene (89.912 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is El Paso, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 455 mi and the route typically takes 7h 37m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 455 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 11.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · El Paso, TX.