Moving from Carrollton, TX to Abilene, TX
Moving from Carrollton, TX to Abilene, TX covers 186 mi and about 3h 20m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
186 mi Β· 3h 20m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 820, PGBT |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Allen, Plano, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Abilene is 12.3% cheaper than Carrollton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Abilene is 12.3% below Carrollton β $406,040 vs $210,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 25.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Carrollton (65.8Β°F) and Abilene (65.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Abilene averages 3.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 12.3% below Carrollton ($99,115 vs $62,720, ACS 5-year 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 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 Abilene average 96Β°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
Is Abilene more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 12.3% lower than Carrollton (90.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 36.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Abilene, TX from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 186 mi and the route typically takes 3h 20m via I 20 and I 820. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 186 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 48.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Abilene, TX.