Moving from Arlington, TX to Chattanooga, TN
Relocating 816 mi from Arlington to Chattanooga is a 14h 36m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
816 mi Β· 14h 36m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 40, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.3% cheaper overall in Chattanooga than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Arlington to Chattanooga β $310,971 vs $319,579 (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 55.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.3% lower in Chattanooga than Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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-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 Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 816 mi and the route typically takes 14h 36m via I 30 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 816 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 17.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 11.3% lower than Arlington (91.464 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 2.8% higher 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· Chattanooga, TN.