Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Dallas, TX
The drive from San Bernardino, CA to Dallas, TX runs 1388 mi — about 23h 50m 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.
1388 mi · 23h 50m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas and San Bernardino are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Dallas typical home at $309,421 is 3.1% under San Bernardino at $487,988 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Bernardino | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.2°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: REDLANDS, CA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.46 |
Income steps up 3.1%: $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $67,760 in Dallas.
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
- 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 1388 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 San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $487,988 in San Bernardino — a 36.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between San Bernardino and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 65.2°F in San Bernardino (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 12.9 in.
Is Dallas more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 3.1% lower than San Bernardino (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Bernardino vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $63,988 in San Bernardino — a 5.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Dallas, TX from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 1388 mi and the route typically takes 23h 50m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA · Dallas, TX.