Moving from Garland, TX to Abilene, TX
It is a 199 mi drive, roughly 3h 36m, between Garland, TX and Abilene, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
199 mi Β· 3h 36m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 183 TEXPRESS, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Dallas, Mckinney, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.3% cheaper overall in Abilene than Garland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 25.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Abilene gets around 3.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.72 |
Households in Abilene earn about 12.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 96Β°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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Garland to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Abilene more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 12.3% lower than Garland (90.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $74,717 in Garland β a 16.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $286,805 in Garland β a 26.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Abilene, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 199 mi and the route typically takes 3h 36m via I 20 and TX 183 TEXPRESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Abilene, TX.