Moving from Amarillo, TX to Abilene, TX
It is a 284 mi drive, roughly 4h 57m, between Amarillo, TX and Abilene, 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.
284 mi · 4h 57m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 27, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.82 vs 90.364 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $206,787 vs $210,016.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Amarillo | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 25.2" |
Annual temperature rises 9.0°F moving to Abilene per NOAA normals.
Abilene averages 3.7 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: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 35 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.72 |
Median household incomes in Amarillo ($62,469) and Abilene ($62,720) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Abilene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 10,850 | $37,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,210 | $26,270 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,750 | $29,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 5,560 | $73,610 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,460 | $35,350 |
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 Abilene 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
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 284 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Abilene more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 1.6% lower than Amarillo (90.364 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $62,469 in Amarillo — a 0.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Abilene, TX from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 284 mi and the route typically takes 4h 57m via US 84 and I 27. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $206,787 in Amarillo — a 1.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX · Abilene, TX.