Moving from Abilene, TX to Richardson, TX
It is a 195 mi drive, roughly 3h 30m, between Abilene, TX and Richardson, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
195 mi Β· 3h 30m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 183 TEXPRESS, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Richardson | 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 |
Overall prices come in 14.1% above Abilene β 90.364 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Abilene | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 14.1% more than Abilene at the median β $62,720 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 does the job market in Richardson compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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 does household income compare in Abilene vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $62,720 in Abilene β a 53.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $210,016 in Abilene β a 109.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richardson more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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 Richardson, TX from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 195 mi and the route typically takes 3h 30m via I 20 and TX 183 TEXPRESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 195 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 Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX Β· Richardson, TX.