Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Dallas, TX
It is 1106 mi between Winston-Salem and Dallas β roughly 19h 46m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1106 mi Β· 19h 46m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| 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
| Winston-Salem | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.0% above Winston-Salem β 92.043 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 12.0% above Winston-Salem β $264,333 β $309,421 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 8.5Β°F moving to Dallas per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.46 |
Households in Dallas earn about 12.0% more at the median β 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 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 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.
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.
- 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 97Β°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 much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 17.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1106 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dallas more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 12.0% higher than Winston-Salem (103.09 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1106 mi and the route typically takes 19h 46m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 17.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Dallas, TX.