Moving from Birmingham, AL to Abilene, TX
It is 819 mi between Birmingham and Abilene — roughly 14h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
819 mi · 14h 41m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.644 vs 90.364 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $135,870 to $210,016 moving to Abilene.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 25.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Birmingham (63.9°F) and Abilene (65.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Abilene averages 3.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.72 |
Abilene households earn about 1.4% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $62,720 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Abilene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 10,850 | $37,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,210 | $26,270 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,750 | $29,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 5,560 | $73,610 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,460 | $35,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Abilene average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 54.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 41.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Abilene, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 819 mi and the route typically takes 14h 41m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Abilene more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 1.4% lower than Birmingham (90.364 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 56.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Abilene, TX.