Moving from Glendale, CA to Abilene, TX
The drive from Glendale, CA to Abilene, TX runs 1261 mi — about 21h 46m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1261 mi · 21h 46m 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 | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Abilene come in 20.4% under Glendale — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Abilene typical home at $210,016 is 20.4% under Glendale at $1,201,880 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 25.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.5°F vs 65.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 20.4% between Glendale and Abilene (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 California 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.
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 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 does household income compare in Glendale vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $84,262 in Glendale — a 25.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $1,201,880 in Glendale — a 82.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Glendale 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 1261 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Abilene more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 20.4% lower than Glendale (90.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Abilene, TX from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 1261 mi and the route typically takes 21h 46m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 64.5°F in Glendale (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 16.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA · Abilene, TX.