Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Abilene, TX
It is 770 mi between Tuscaloosa and Abilene β roughly 13h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
770 mi Β· 13h 50m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.0% under Tuscaloosa β $228,947 β $210,016 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 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: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.72 |
Abilene households earn about 3.0% more than Tuscaloosa at the median β $48,536 β $62,720 on 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 Alabama 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.
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 Tuscaloosa vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 29.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Abilene more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 3.0% higher than Tuscaloosa (90.364 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 8.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Abilene, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 770 mi and the route typically takes 13h 50m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Abilene, TX.