Moving from Des Moines, IA to Dallas, TX
Relocating 695 mi from Des Moines to Dallas is a 13h drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
695 mi · 13h by car · TX → OK → MO → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 35, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $309,421 moving to Dallas.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 38.3" |
Expect 17.1°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 12.4% higher in Dallas than Des Moines.
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 Iowa 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.
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 (17.1°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
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 695 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dallas, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 695 mi and the route typically takes 13h via US 69 and I 35. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 12.4% higher than Des Moines (103.09 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 36.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 48.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 5.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 383,190 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Dallas, TX.