Moving from Abilene, TX to Vallejo, CA
A 1570 mi cross-country move between Abilene and Vallejo is 27h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1570 mi Β· 27h 53m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.364 in Abilene to 108.479 in Vallejo, putting overall prices 20.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $210,016 to $520,970 moving to Vallejo.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Abilene | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 21.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Abilene (65.9Β°F) and Vallejo (61.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.84 |
Vallejo households earn about 20.0% more than Abilene at the median β $62,720 β $89,496 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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 β 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
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $210,016 in Abilene β a 148.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Vallejo, CA from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 1570 mi and the route typically takes 27h 53m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $62,720 in Abilene β a 42.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Vallejo compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Vallejo more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 20.0% higher than Abilene (108.479 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1570 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· Vallejo, CA.