Moving from Abilene, TX to Memphis, TN
It is 640 mi between Abilene and Memphis — roughly 11h 13m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
640 mi · 11h 13m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Mckinney, Garland, Allen, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 79.807 | 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
2.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.47 |
Households in Memphis earn about 2.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92°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: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Memphis, TN from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 640 mi and the route typically takes 11h 13m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 31.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 2.0% higher than Abilene (92.179 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 65.9°F in Abilene (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 25.2 in.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Memphis, TN.