Moving from Allentown, PA to Dallas, TX
The drive from Allentown, PA to Dallas, TX runs 1459 mi — about 26h 26m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1459 mi · 26h 26m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Allentown (99.968) and Dallas (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $309,699 vs $309,421 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 38.3" |
Climate warms by 14.9°F on the annual average — 53.1°F → 68.0°F.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.1% between Allentown and Dallas (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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 Dallas average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 53.1°F in Allentown (14.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 47.4 in.
Is Dallas more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 3.1% higher than Allentown (103.09 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 0.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1459 mi and the route typically takes 26h 26m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1459 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 26.9% higher 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 Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Dallas, TX.