Moving from Norfolk, VA to Dallas, TX
It is 1361 mi between Norfolk and Dallas — roughly 24h 27m 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.
1361 mi · 24h 27m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| 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
| Norfolk | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.3% above Norfolk — 97.941 → 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Norfolk to Dallas — $306,227 vs $309,421 (2026-03).
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.6°F moving to Dallas per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.46 |
Households in Dallas earn about 5.3% more 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 Virginia 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 far is Dallas, TX from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 1361 mi and the route typically takes 24h 27m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 5.3% higher than Norfolk (103.09 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 5.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (6.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 45.7 in.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 1.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk 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 1361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · Dallas, TX.