Moving from Midland, TX to Abilene, TX
It is a 151 mi drive, roughly 2h 41m, between Midland, 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.
151 mi · 2h 41m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, LOOP 250, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Abilene than Midland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 25.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Abilene gets around 3.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.72 |
Abilene households earn about 5.7% less than Midland at the median — $91,169 → $62,720 on 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
How does household income compare in Midland vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $91,169 in Midland — a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $328,325 in Midland — a 36.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Midland 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 151 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 65.0°F in Midland (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 13.6 in.
How far is Abilene, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 151 mi and the route typically takes 2h 41m via I 20 and LOOP 250. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Abilene more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 5.7% lower than Midland (90.364 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Abilene, TX.