Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
It is 1425 mi between Santa Ana and Dallas — roughly 24h 41m 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.
1425 mi · 24h 41m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.2% cheaper overall in Dallas than Santa Ana on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 9.2% less than Santa Ana at the median — $88,354 → $67,760 on ACS 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 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 — 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
- 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 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 Santa Ana vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 23.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 9.2% lower than Santa Ana (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 64.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana 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 1425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dallas, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1425 mi and the route typically takes 24h 41m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (1.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 12.5 in.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Dallas, TX.