Moving from Abilene, TX to Dallas, TX
Relocating between Abilene, TX and Dallas, TX is a 184 mi drive — 3h 21m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
184 mi · 3h 21m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 30, US 377 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $210,016 to $309,421 moving to Dallas.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9°F) and Dallas (68.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Dallas averages 1.7 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: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 14.1% higher in Dallas than Abilene.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Dallas average 97°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
Is Dallas more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 14.1% higher than Abilene (103.09 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 21m via I 20 and I 30. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 8.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 65.9°F in Abilene (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 25.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 47.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Dallas, TX.