Moving from Abilene, TX to Oklahoma City, OK
Moving from Abilene, TX to Oklahoma City, OK covers 291 mi and about 5h 20m by car through 2 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.
291 mi · 5h 20m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 277, I 44, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Abilene (90.364) and Oklahoma City (90.408) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $210,016 vs $206,713 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 36.4" |
Oklahoma City is 5.8°F cooler on the annual average (65.9°F vs 60.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Light snow year: Oklahoma City gets around 6.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Oklahoma City is 0.0% above Abilene ($62,720 → $66,702, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 291 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 6.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 65.9°F in Abilene (5.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 25.2 in.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 291 mi and the route typically takes 5h 20m via US 277 and I 44. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 1.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Oklahoma City, OK.