Moving from Dallas, TX to San Mateo, CA
Moving from Dallas, TX to San Mateo, CA is a 1719 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 25m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1719 mi Β· 30h 25m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Mateo is 12.1% higher than Dallas, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Mateo is 12.1% above Dallas β $309,421 vs $1,686,905 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Dallas | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 19.6" |
San Mateo is 9.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (68.0Β°F vs 58.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.6 |
Median household income in San Mateo is 12.1% above Dallas ($67,760 vs $152,669, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $309,421 in Dallas β a 445.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1719 mi and the route typically takes 30h 25m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $67,760 in Dallas β a 125.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 12.1% higher than Dallas (115.613 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1719 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX Β· San Mateo, CA.