Moving from Brownsville, TX to Dallas, TX
A move from Brownsville, TX to Dallas, TX covers 526 mi and around 9h 35m of driving through 1 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.
526 mi Β· 9h 35m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 35E, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Dallas is 19.9% higher than Brownsville, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Dallas is 19.9% above Brownsville β $195,993 vs $309,421 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 38.3" |
Dallas is 6.4Β°F cooler on the annual average (74.4Β°F vs 68.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Dallas averages 1.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Dallas is 19.9% above Brownsville ($48,675 vs $67,760, ACS 5-year 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 20β30% 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 97Β°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 Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 19.9% higher than Brownsville (103.09 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 57.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 39.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 526 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dallas, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 526 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via US 77 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Dallas, TX.