Moving from Pasadena, CA to Abilene, TX
It is 1252 mi between Pasadena and Abilene — roughly 21h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1252 mi · 21h 33m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Abilene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 90.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.162 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 73.791 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Pasadena to 90.364 in Abilene, a 20.4% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $210,016 moving to Abilene.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 25.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Pasadena (66.0°F) and Abilene (65.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Abilene averages 3.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.72 |
Abilene households earn about 20.4% less than Pasadena at the median — $103,778 → $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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 82.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Abilene more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 20.4% lower than Pasadena (90.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Abilene, TX from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1252 mi and the route typically takes 21h 33m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 1252 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 20.1 in.
How does the job market in Abilene compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 72,780 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 39.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Abilene, TX.