Moving from Abilene, TX to San Bernardino, CA
Relocating 1204 mi from Abilene to San Bernardino is a 20h 36m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1204 mi · 20h 36m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | San Bernardino | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 17.8% above Abilene — 90.364 → 106.442 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 12.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Bernardino — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.51 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Bernardino MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 San Bernardino average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: San Bernardino sees only 12.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Bernardino compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 2.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1204 mi and the route typically takes 20h 36m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 132.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1204 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and San Bernardino?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.2°F in San Bernardino vs 65.9°F in Abilene (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 12.9 in vs 25.2 in.
Is San Bernardino more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 17.8% higher than Abilene (106.442 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · San Bernardino, CA.