Moving from Austin, TX to Dallas, TX
Relocating between Austin, TX and Dallas, TX is a 196 mi drive — 3h 29m 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.
196 mi · 3h 29m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 35, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.1% above Austin — 98.066 → 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.1% — $91,461 → $67,760 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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 Dallas 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
Is Dallas more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 5.1% higher than Austin (103.09 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 196 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $91,461 in Austin — a 25.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $508,530 in Austin — a 39.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 196 mi and the route typically takes 3h 29m via I 35E and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 70.0°F in Austin (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 36.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Dallas, TX.