Moving from Dallas, TX to Philadelphia, PA
It is 1468 mi between Dallas and Philadelphia — roughly 26h 45m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1468 mi · 26h 45m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Dallas and Philadelphia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $309,421 in Dallas to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 0.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature drops 10.3°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 0.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 10.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 25.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1468 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1468 mi and the route typically takes 26h 45m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 0.5% lower than Dallas (102.554 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 68.0°F in Dallas (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 38.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Philadelphia, PA.