Dallas guide

How do you move to Dallas? A step-by-step checklist

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This article is part of our Moving to Dallas guide.

Last updated October 18, 2026

You move to Dallas in five phases: plan and book movers about 8 weeks out, lock in an apartment and utilities at 4 and 2 weeks, move, then handle Texas paperwork after you arrive. A studio or one-bedroom move from Chicago runs about $1,262 to $4,940 with full-service movers, per moveBuddha. Once you live here, you have 30 days to register your car and 90 days to get a Texas driver license. Voter registration closes 30 days before each election.

Chicago to Dallas, 1BR, full-service$1,262 to $4,940moveBuddha, accessed Oct 2026
Register your car30 daysafter moving, TxDMV
Texas driver license90 days$33 Class C, Texas DPS
Average 1BR rent$1,317Zumper, Oct 2026

When is the best time to move to Dallas?

Fall and early winter are usually the easiest. Three things push against the other seasons.

  • Summer heat. At DFW Airport, the average first 100-degree day is July 1 and the average last one is August 27, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. Loading a truck in that heat is hard work. If you must move in summer, start at dawn.
  • Spring storm season. Late spring is the usual peak for North Texas tornadoes, and most touch down between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. (The Dallas Morning News, citing NOAA data). In late April 2026, storms dropped hail up to teacup size, with some of the largest stones reported in northeast Dallas County, per the NWS. A truck parked outside overnight is exposed.
  • Lease seasonality. Nationally, rents peak in June and July and bottom out in November and December, about 1.6% lower, according to Apartment List. Winter is also when landlords tend to offer move-in deals.

For more on what each season feels like, see what the weather is like in Dallas.

What should you do 8 weeks before moving to Dallas?

  • Set a budget. From Chicago (about 926 miles), moveBuddha estimates $963 to $2,275 for a moving container and $728 to $1,338 for a rental truck for a studio or one-bedroom. A two- or three-bedroom with full-service movers runs $2,585 to $6,584. moveBuddha also notes extra charges often add 12% to 28% to a mover’s final bill. Our guide to the cost of moving across the country covers the trade-offs.
  • Get three quotes. Ask each mover for a written estimate, and check that interstate movers have a USDOT number.
  • Pick a few neighborhoods. Commute, transit and parking matter more here than in many cities. Start with the best Dallas neighborhoods for newcomers. To compare buildings by year built, size and pet policy, browse our sister site, DallasApartmentBuildings.com.
  • Check your credit. Apartments, electricity providers and insurers in Texas all may look at it. Pull your free reports at annualcreditreport.com.

What should you do 4 weeks before moving?

  • Apply for an apartment. Texas landlords must give you their selection criteria in writing, and if they don’t and then reject you, they must refund your application fee and deposit (Tex. Prop. Code 92.3515). Many Dallas listings ask for gross household income of about three times the rent. At Zumper’s $1,317 average one-bedroom (October 2026), that is about $3,950 a month.
  • Be careful with hold deposits. A landlord who doesn’t accept you within seven days of a complete application is considered to have rejected you (Tex. Prop. Code 92.352). If you back out after approval, most landlords keep the deposit, so only pay one for a place you really want.
  • Budget for move-in costs. Texas does not cap security deposits. Read how renting works in Dallas before you sign, including the required flood disclosure.
  • Book your movers and confirm the date in writing.

What should you do 2 weeks before moving?

Electricity

Most of Dallas has a deregulated electricity market. Oncor owns the wires and fixes outages, but you buy power from a retail provider you choose. Compare plans on PowerToChoose.org, the state’s official site, and read each plan’s Electricity Facts Label before you sign. Set the start date for move-in day.

A provider can ask for a deposit if you can’t show satisfactory credit. Under Texas rule 16 TAC 25.478, the deposit can’t be more than one-fifth of your estimated yearly bill or two months of estimated bills, whichever is greater. You can avoid it with good credit or, if you are 65 or older, by not being behind on any electric account. The deposit must be refunded after 12 straight on-time bills.

Water, internet and insurance

  • Water. Many apartment complexes bill water themselves, so ask first. If you need your own account, submit a move-in request online through DallasGo or call Dallas Water Utilities at 214-651-1441. Any deposit shows up on your first bill. It can be waived if you are 65 or older or have 12 months of on-time payments with another utility.
  • Internet. FCC data compiled by BroadbandMap.com (as of December 2025) shows Spectrum cable at 99% of Dallas, AT&T Fiber at 96% and Frontier Fiber at 6%. Those figures can run high, so check your exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map and with your building before ordering.
  • Renters insurance. It averages $167 a year in Dallas, per NerdWallet. Many landlords require it. Most policies cover wind damage from tornadoes but not flooding.

What should you do during moving week?

  • Watch the forecast. In spring, check the NWS Fort Worth forecast daily. If hail is possible, park the truck and your car in a covered garage.
  • Keep a documents folder. Pack your passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, car title and insurance card separately. You will need them at DPS and the tax office.
  • Confirm utilities. Check that power, water and internet start on move-in day.
  • Walk the unit. Note every scuff and stain in writing and with photos before you unload. It protects your deposit later.
  • Plan for the heat. In summer, keep water on hand and set the thermostat as soon as power is on.

What do you need to do after you arrive in Dallas?

Texas sets two deadlines for new residents. Do the car first, because DPS wants your Texas registration before it issues a license. Our first 30 days in Dallas guide covers the rest of settling in.

Within 30 days: car inspection, insurance and registration

  1. Get Texas insurance with at least 30/60/25 liability coverage. Consider comprehensive coverage, which is what usually pays for hail damage.
  2. Pass an emissions inspection at a DPS-certified station. Dallas County requires one before registration.
  3. Register at the Dallas County Tax Office. Bring the passing inspection, proof of insurance, your out-of-state title or registration, an odometer reading and Form 130-U. Expect $51.75 in state fees plus county fees and the $90 new-resident tax (TxDMV).

Within 90 days: Texas driver license

You can drive on your old license for up to 90 days. Book a DPS appointment early. The state’s scheduler lets you book up to six months ahead, so you can reserve a slot before you even move. You will surrender your out-of-state license, and the Class C license costs $33 for eight years.

  • Identity and citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.
  • Social Security number.
  • Two proofs of Texas residency with your name and address. A lease, renters insurance policy, or utility bill dated within 180 days all count.
  • Texas vehicle registration and insurance for each car you own, or a statement that you don’t own one.

Bring the full set so you leave with a REAL ID-compliant card, marked with a gold star. Since May 7, 2025, TSA has required a REAL ID or a passport to fly within the U.S.

Register to vote

The deadline is 30 days before each election. For the November 3, 2026 election, it was October 5, so new arrivals now should register for the next one. Texas does not offer fully online registration. You can fill out the form online, but you must print it, sign it by hand and mail or deliver it to the Dallas County elections office.

What else should you plan for before moving to Dallas?

Our Moving Guides cover the parts of a move that work the same way in every big city:

Frequently asked questions about moving to Dallas

How much does it cost to move to Dallas?

From Chicago, moveBuddha estimates $728 to $1,338 for a rental truck and $1,262 to $4,940 for full-service movers for a one-bedroom. Then budget for a security deposit and first month’s rent; see how much it costs to live in Dallas.

How long do I have to get a Texas driver license?

You have 90 days after moving. Register your car first, since DPS asks for Texas registration when you surrender an out-of-state license.

Do I have to pick an electricity company in Dallas?

In most of the city, yes. Oncor delivers the power, but you choose a retail provider, and PowerToChoose.org lists the plans.

Can I register to vote in Texas online?

Not fully. You can complete the form online, but you must print, sign and mail it at least 30 days before the election.

Sources

Go Big City Team
Author: Go Big City Team

More Dallas questions

Back to the Dallas guide →
Cost of livingHow much does it cost to live in Dallas?A single adult needs about $48,489 a year to cover basics in Dallas. See the monthly budget, rent, taxes, transportation, utilities and salaries, plus how Dallas compares with other big cities.Updated Oct 23, 2026RentingHow does renting an apartment in Dallas work?Dallas rents are flat or falling and move-in deals are common. Here's what apartments cost in 2026, how applications and locators work, and what Texas law says about deposits, repairs and leases.Updated Oct 22, 2026Getting aroundHow does public transit work in Dallas?Dallas transit runs mostly on DART light rail, buses, GoLink vans and the new Silver Line, with $6 local day passes, $9 regional passes and free rides on Uptown's M-Line Trolley.Updated Oct 21, 2026NeighborhoodsWhat are the best Dallas neighborhoods for newcomers?Compare Uptown, Downtown, Oak Lawn, Bishop Arts, Lake Highlands and nearby suburbs by 2026 one-bedroom rent, DART rail access and fit, plus how to check flood risk, crime and city lines.Updated Oct 21, 2026

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