Moving from Mobile, AL to Irving, TX
The drive from Mobile, AL to Irving, TX runs 603 mi β about 11h 24m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
603 mi Β· 11h 24m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 49, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.0% pricier overall in Irving than Mobile on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Irving typical home at $341,503 is 17.0% above Mobile at $194,564 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 37.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.1Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.71 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 17.0% between Mobile and Irving (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96Β°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 the job market in Irving compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 75.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Irving, TX from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 603 mi and the route typically takes 11h 24m via I 20 and US 49. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Irving more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 17.0% higher than Mobile (103.09 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Mobile vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 55.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Mobile to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 603 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 Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· Irving, TX.