Moving from Spokane, WA to Dallas, TX
Cross-country relocations like Spokane, WA β Dallas, TX cover 1870 mi and about 32h 29m of driving through 7 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.
1870 mi Β· 32h 29m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 90, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas and Spokane are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.346 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 2.7% under Spokane at $395,325 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 38.3" |
NOAA normals show Dallas running 18.2Β°F above Spokane on the annual mean.
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: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.46 |
Household income lines up β $65,745 vs $67,760 on 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 Washington 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.2Β°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 household income compare in Spokane vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 2.7% higher than Spokane (103.09 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 21.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1870 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dallas, TX from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1870 mi and the route typically takes 32h 29m via US 287 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Dallas, TX.