Moving from Arlington, TX to Baltimore, MD
The drive from Arlington, TX to Baltimore, MD runs 1389 mi β about 25h 10m 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.
1389 mi Β· 25h 10m by car Β· MD β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MD β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Alexandria, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Baltimore | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 104.487 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 110.215 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.353 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 118.194 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Arlington (103.09) and Baltimore (104.487) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Baltimore: 1.4% below Arlington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Baltimore -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 43.7" |
Climate cools by 7.7Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 59.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, MD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 577,193 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $59,623 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 18.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.3 |
Income steps down 1.4%: $73,519 in Arlington vs $59,623 in Baltimore.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Baltimore MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,740 | $46,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,980 | $42,010 |
| Management Occupations | 113,490 | $120,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 107,080 | $84,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 102,740 | $35,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Maryland
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Maryland'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Baltimore average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Maryland after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Baltimore compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,140 in the Baltimore MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 1,304,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Baltimore more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Baltimore is 1.4% higher than Arlington (104.487 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Baltimore?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,623 in Baltimore vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Baltimore, MD from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1389 mi and the route typically takes 25h 10m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Baltimore?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Baltimore compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $188,101 in Baltimore vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 39.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Baltimore, MD.