Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Dallas, TX
It is 1536 mi and 27h 57m from Elizabeth to Dallas — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1536 mi · 27h 57m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Dallas at 103.09 vs Elizabeth at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,667 to $309,421 moving to Dallas.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 38.3" |
Expect 12.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.4% higher in Dallas than Elizabeth.
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 New Jersey 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.
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 (12.5°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 does the job market in Dallas compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Dallas, TX from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1536 mi and the route typically takes 27h 57m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 8.4% lower than Elizabeth (103.09 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 6.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 1536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 42.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (12.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Dallas, TX.