Moving from Abilene, TX to Houston, TX
The 381 mi from Abilene to Houston translate to about 7h 7m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
381 mi · 7h 7m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 183, US 84, TX 71 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.1% pricier overall in Houston than Abilene on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 9.1% above Abilene at $210,016 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.9°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up — $62,720 vs $62,894 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 65.9°F in Abilene (4.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 25.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 25.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 381 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via US 183 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 9.1% higher than Abilene (98.629 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 381 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 · Houston, TX.