Moving from St. Paul, MN to Dallas, TX
The drive from St. Paul, MN to Dallas, TX runs 942 mi β about 17h 24m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
942 mi Β· 17h 24m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for St. Paul (104.822) and Dallas (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 38.3" |
Major climate step-up: 21.5Β°F warmer annual average in Dallas vs St. Paul.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.46 |
Income steps down 1.7%: $73,055 in St. Paul 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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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 (21.5Β°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 St. Paul vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 7.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 942 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dallas more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 1.7% lower than St. Paul (103.09 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Dallas, TX from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 942 mi and the route typically takes 17h 24m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Dallas, TX.