Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Alexandria, VA
It is 1350 mi between Grand Prairie and Alexandria β roughly 24h 16m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1350 mi Β· 24h 16m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.6% above Grand Prairie β 103.09 β 108.884 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 41.8" |
Annual temperature drops 6.3Β°F moving to Alexandria per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.08 |
Alexandria households earn about 5.6% more than Grand Prairie at the median β $78,889 β $113,638 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Alexandria more expensive than Grand Prairie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 5.6% higher than Grand Prairie (108.884 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 113.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 1350 mi and the route typically takes 24h 16m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Grand Prairie to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1350 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Grand Prairie vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 44.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 3,966,500 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 Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Alexandria, VA.