Moving from Abilene, TX to Irving, TX
It is a 176 mi drive, roughly 3h 12m, between Abilene, TX and Irving, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
176 mi · 3h 12m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 820, I 820 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Plano, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Irving | 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 $341,503 moving to Irving.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9°F) and Irving (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irving averages 1.6 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 FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.71 |
Irving households earn about 14.1% more than Abilene at the median — $62,720 → $79,641 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 Irving 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.
Frequently asked
Is Irving more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving 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 does the job market in Irving compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving 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.
How far is Irving, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 176 mi and the route typically takes 3h 12m via I 20 and I 820. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 62.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 65.9°F in Abilene (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 25.2 in.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 27.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 176 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 · Irving, TX.