Moving from Plano, TX to Abilene, TX
Moving from Plano, TX to Abilene, TX covers 198 mi and about 3h 37m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
198 mi Β· 3h 37m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, PGBT, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Richardson, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Plano | 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 |
Overall prices in Abilene are 12.3% below Plano β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Abilene typical home at $210,016 is 12.3% under Plano at $498,989 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°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: RICHARDSON, TX US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 12.3% below Plano ($108,649 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.
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
How does household income compare in Plano vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $108,649 in Plano β a 42.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Abilene more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 12.3% lower than Plano (90.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Abilene, TX from Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 3h 37m via I 20 and PGBT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Plano to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Plano?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $498,989 in Plano β a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· Abilene, TX.