Moving from Austin, TX to Allen, TX
Moving from Austin, TX to Allen, TX covers 220 mi and about 3h 54m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
220 mi · 3h 54m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.1% pricier overall in Allen than Austin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 38.3" |
Allen is 5.0°F cooler on the annual average (70.0°F vs 65.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Allen is 5.1% above Austin ($91,461 vs $129,130, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen 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 Allen average 95°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 Allen compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $508,530 in Austin — a 2.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $91,461 in Austin — a 41.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Allen more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 5.1% higher than Austin (103.09 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 220 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Allen, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 220 mi and the route typically takes 3h 54m via I 35 and I 35E. 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Allen, TX.