Moving from Huntsville, AL to Dallas, TX
A move from Huntsville, AL to Dallas, TX covers 659 mi and around 12h 1m of driving through 5 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.
659 mi · 12h 1m by car · TX → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, US 72 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 93.072 in Huntsville to 103.09 in Dallas, a 10.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Dallas at $309,421 is 10.8% above Huntsville at $287,569.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 38.3" |
Dallas runs 5.1°F warmer on the annual average (62.9°F vs 68.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.46 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 7.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (5.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 54.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville 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 659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dallas more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 10.8% higher than Huntsville (103.09 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 659 mi and the route typically takes 12h 1m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Dallas, TX.