Moving from Arlington, TX to Houston, TX
The 254 mi from Arlington to Houston translate to about 4h 34m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
254 mi Β· 4h 34m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 20, FM 157 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston and Arlington are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 98.629); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.3% lower in Houston than Arlington as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.51 |
Income steps down 4.3%: $73,519 in Arlington vs $62,894 in Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Houston compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 15.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 254 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 254 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via I 45 and I 20. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Arlington (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Houston, TX.