Moving from Abilene, TX to El Monte, CA
It is 1242 mi between Abilene and El Monte — roughly 21h 22m 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.
1242 mi · 21h 22m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 84, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in El Monte is 25.7% above Abilene — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
25.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.62 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Abilene and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 65.9°F in Abilene (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 25.2 in.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 264.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1242 mi and the route typically takes 21h 22m via I 10 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is El Monte more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 25.7% higher than Abilene (113.566 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 2.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1242 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · El Monte, CA.