Moving from Frisco, TX to Abilene, TX
Moving from Frisco, TX to Abilene, TX covers 198 mi and about 3h 36m 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.
198 mi Β· 3h 36m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 121, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Plano, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Frisco | 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 Frisco 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 Frisco β $656,758 vs $210,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Frisco -5.1%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Frisco | 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 Frisco (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 | Frisco | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,238 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $146,158 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.5% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 12.3% below Frisco ($146,158 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 Frisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 12.3% lower than Frisco (90.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Frisco vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $146,158 in Frisco β a 57.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Abilene, TX from Frisco, TX?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 3h 36m via I 20 and TX 121. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Frisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $656,758 in Frisco β a 68.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Frisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $48,440 in the Frisco 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.
When is the best time to move from Frisco to Abilene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 198 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 Frisco.
City profiles: Frisco, TX Β· Abilene, TX.