Moving from Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
A move from Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA covers 1387 mi and around 23h 54m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1387 mi · 23h 54m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Riverside and Dallas are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Riverside typical home at $646,784 is 3.3% above Dallas at $309,421 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 10.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 68.0°F vs 66.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.42 |
Median household income in Riverside is 3.3% above Dallas ($67,760 vs $88,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Riverside more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 3.3% higher than Dallas (106.442 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 30.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 109.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Riverside, CA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1387 mi and the route typically takes 23h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1387 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 68.0°F in Dallas (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 38.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Riverside, CA.