Moving from Arlington, TX to College Station, TX
Moving from Arlington, TX to College Station, TX covers 184 mi and about 3h 20m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
184 mi · 3h 20m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, I 35W, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
College Station is 11.8% cheaper than Arlington overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in College Station is 11.8% above Arlington ($349,041 vs $310,971 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arlington | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Arlington (66.8°F) and College Station (69.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.74 |
Median household income in College Station is 11.8% below Arlington ($73,519 vs $51,776, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 College Station average 95°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
How does household income compare in Arlington vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $73,519 in Arlington — a 29.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is College Station, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 20m via TX 6 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is College Station more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 11.8% lower than Arlington (90.951 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $310,971 in Arlington — a 12.2% 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 · College Station, TX.