Moving from Midland, TX to Austin, TX
Relocating between Midland, TX and Austin, TX is a 320 mi drive — 6h 20m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
320 mi · 6h 20m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, TX 71, TX 158 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Midland and Austin sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $328,325 in Midland to $508,530 in Austin, a 2.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 36.3" |
Expect 5.0°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.2 |
Household income lines up — $91,169 vs $91,461 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin average 97°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
What is the climate difference between Midland and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 65.0°F in Midland (5.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 13.6 in.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $328,325 in Midland — a 54.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $91,169 in Midland — a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Midland to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 320 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 320 mi and the route typically takes 6h 20m via US 87 and TX 71. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 2.4% higher than Midland (98.066 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 · Austin, TX.