Moving from Lakeland, FL to Dallas, TX
It is 1091 mi between Lakeland and Dallas — roughly 20h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1091 mi · 20h 17m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas runs about 6.1% more expensive overall than Lakeland — RPP 97.141 → 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Dallas ($309,421) sits close to Lakeland ($311,156) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.9°F moving to Dallas per NOAA normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.46 |
Households in Dallas earn about 6.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Florida 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.
- 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 household income compare in Lakeland vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 11.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland 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 1091 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 0.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 1091 mi and the route typically takes 20h 17m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 6.1% higher than Lakeland (103.09 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lakeland and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (5.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 56.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Dallas, TX.