Moving from Wilmington, NC to Dallas, TX
The drive from Wilmington, NC to Dallas, TX runs 1198 mi — about 21h 54m 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.
1198 mi · 21h 54m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Dallas is 6.9% higher than Wilmington, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Dallas is 6.9% below Wilmington — $416,159 vs $309,421 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Wilmington (64.4°F) and Dallas (68.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Dallas averages 1.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.46 |
Income steps up 6.9%: $63,900 in Wilmington 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can 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 does the job market in Dallas compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Dallas more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 6.9% higher than Wilmington (103.09 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 6.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 25.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 1198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (3.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How far is Dallas, TX from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1198 mi and the route typically takes 21h 54m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Dallas, TX.