Moving from College Station, TX to Dallas, TX
Relocating between College Station, TX and Dallas, TX is a 185 mi drive β 3h 19m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
185 mi Β· 3h 19m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, TX 6, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas runs about 13.3% more expensive overall than College Station β RPP 90.951 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Dallas run about 13.3% cheaper β ZHVI $349,041 β $309,421 (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 68.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to rise 13.3% β $51,776 β $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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from College Station to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 185 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $349,041 in College Station β a 11.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $51,776 in College Station β a 30.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 13.3% higher than College Station (103.09 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 185 mi and the route typically takes 3h 19m via I 35E and TX 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Dallas, TX.