Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Abilene, TX
A move from Santa Clarita, CA to Abilene, TX covers 1286 mi and around 22h 13m 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.
1286 mi · 22h 13m 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 | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | 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 price level runs 20.4% below Santa Clarita — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 → 90.364, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Abilene is 20.4% below Santa Clarita — $802,016 vs $210,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 25.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clarita (65.5°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: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 20.4% below Santa Clarita ($119,926 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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 16.8 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 47.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Abilene more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 20.4% lower than Santa Clarita (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 Santa Clarita 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 1286 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 Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 1286 mi and the route typically takes 22h 13m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 73.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Abilene, TX.