Moving from Tampa, FL to Irving, TX
The drive from Tampa, FL to Irving, TX runs 1117 mi — about 20h 39m 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.
1117 mi · 20h 39m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Irving and Tampa are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.89 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 2.2% lower in Irving than Tampa as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 37.0" |
Climate cools by 7.9°F on the annual average — 74.5°F → 66.6°F.
Expect 1.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.71 |
Income steps up 2.2%: $71,302 in Tampa vs $79,641 in Irving.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 Irving average 96°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
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1117 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 74.5°F in Tampa (7.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 49.5 in.
How far is Irving, TX from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1117 mi and the route typically takes 20h 39m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 8.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Irving more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 2.2% higher than Tampa (103.09 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 11.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Irving, TX.