Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Abilene, TX
A move from Huntington Beach, CA to Abilene, TX covers 1250 mi and around 21h 36m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1250 mi Β· 21h 36m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Downey, Inglewood, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | 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 Huntington Beach β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Abilene typical home at $210,016 is 20.4% under Huntington Beach at $1,366,658 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 25.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 65.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 20.4% below Huntington Beach ($119,885 vs $62,720, 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.
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 47.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 84.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Abilene more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 20.4% lower than Huntington Beach (90.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
How far is Abilene, TX from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 1250 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Abilene, TX.