Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Dallas, TX
Relocating 1428 mi from Santa Clarita to Dallas is a 25h 5m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1428 mi · 25h 5m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.2% cheaper overall in Dallas than Santa Clarita on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.2% — $119,926 → $67,760 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- 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
How far is Dallas, TX from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 1428 mi and the route typically takes 25h 5m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (2.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 16.8 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 43.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 61.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dallas more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 9.2% lower than Santa Clarita (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 Santa Clarita 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 1428 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 Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Dallas, TX.