Moving from Abilene, TX to Laredo, TX
Relocating between Abilene, TX and Laredo, TX is a 409 mi drive — 7h 16m 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.
409 mi · 7h 16m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, I 35, I 27 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Abilene and Laredo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Laredo ($220,331) sits close to Abilene ($210,016) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 19.7" |
Expect 9.1°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $62,720 vs $63,264 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 4.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 3.8% lower than Abilene (86.956 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 0.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 65.9°F in Abilene (9.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 25.2 in.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Laredo, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 409 mi and the route typically takes 7h 16m via US 83 and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Laredo, TX.