Moving from West Covina, CA to Abilene, TX
A move from West Covina, CA to Abilene, TX covers 1236 mi and around 21h 14m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1236 mi · 21h 14m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 84, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | 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 |
Cost of living in Abilene is 20.4% lower than West Covina — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Abilene: 20.4% below West Covina on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Abilene +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 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: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Abilene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 127,130 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $62,720 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 17.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Abilene is 20.4% below West Covina ($98,570 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.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 does the job market in Abilene compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $38,680 in the Abilene MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina 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 far is Abilene, TX from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1236 mi and the route typically takes 21h 14m via I 10 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Abilene more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Abilene is 20.4% lower than West Covina (90.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Abilene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,720 in Abilene vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Abilene?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.9°F in Abilene vs 65.1°F in West Covina (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 25.2 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Abilene compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $210,016 in Abilene vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 75.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 1236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Abilene, TX.