Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX
It is 1451 mi between Los Angeles and Dallas — roughly 25h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1451 mi · 25h 3m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.2% moving from Los Angeles to Dallas — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $952,183 in Los Angeles to $309,421 in Dallas, a 9.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.8°F vs 68.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.46 |
Households in Dallas earn about 9.2% less at the median — 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.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
Is Dallas more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 9.2% lower than Los Angeles (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 1451 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 67.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1451 mi and the route typically takes 25h 3m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (4.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 14.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Dallas, TX.