Moving from Arlington, TX to Dallas, TX
Relocating from Arlington, TX to Dallas, TX? The drive is 26 mi β about 35 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
26 mi Β· 35 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, SPUR 303, TX 360 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Arlington to Dallas β $310,971 vs $309,421 (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in Dallas than Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Dallas 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
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 0.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 26 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 Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dallas, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 35 min via I 30 and SPUR 303. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Dallas, TX.