Moving from Arlington, TX to Laredo, TX
Relocating between Arlington, TX and Laredo, TX is a 428 mi drive β 7h 36m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
428 mi Β· 7h 36m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, US 290 |
| 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 | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.7% moving from Arlington to Laredo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $310,971 in Arlington to $220,331 in Laredo, a 15.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 19.7" |
Expect 8.2Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.7% lower in Laredo than Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100Β°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 Laredo compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 29.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 428 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 15.7% lower than Arlington (86.956 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 428 mi and the route typically takes 7h 36m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Laredo, TX.