Moving from Worcester, MA to Dallas, TX
A 1720 mi cross-country move between Worcester and Dallas is 31h 52m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1720 mi · 31h 52m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| 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
| Worcester | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Worcester and Dallas sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $430,112 in Worcester to $309,421 in Dallas, a 0.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.9°F — 48.1°F in Worcester vs 68.0°F in Dallas, 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: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.46 |
Household income lines up — $67,544 vs $67,760 on 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 Massachusetts 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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 1720 mi and the route typically takes 31h 52m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 0.6% higher than Worcester (103.09 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Worcester and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 48.1°F in Worcester (19.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 72.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 48.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 28.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 1720 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 Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Dallas, TX.