Moving from Dallas, TX to Palmdale, CA
Relocating 1404 mi from Dallas to Palmdale is a 24h 35m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1404 mi · 24h 35m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.2% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $309,421 to $501,257 moving to Palmdale.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Dallas (68.0°F) and Palmdale (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.56 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.2% higher in Palmdale than Dallas.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 68.0°F in Dallas (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 38.3 in.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 19.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1404 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1404 mi and the route typically takes 24h 35m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 10.2% higher than Dallas (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 62.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Palmdale, CA.