Moving from Modesto, CA to Dallas, TX
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β Dallas, TX cover 1652 mi and about 29h 6m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1652 mi Β· 29h 6m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas and Modesto are close on the overall BEA RPP (104.108 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Dallas typical home at $309,421 is 1.0% under Modesto at $446,494 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°F vs 68.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.46 |
Income steps down 1.0%: $77,899 in Modesto vs $67,760 in Dallas.
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 California 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 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
- 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 Dallas average 97Β°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 much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 30.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1652 mi and the route typically takes 29h 6m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 13.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 1.0% lower than Modesto (103.09 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1652 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Dallas, TX.