Moving from Arlington, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Arlington, TX to Austin, TX covers 195 mi and about 3h 29m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
195 mi Β· 3h 29m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Arlington (103.09) and Austin (98.066) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Austin: 4.9% above Arlington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 36.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 4.9% above Arlington ($73,519 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 195 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 195 mi and the route typically takes 3h 29m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.9% lower than Arlington (98.066 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 63.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 24.4% 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 Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Austin, TX.