Moving from Arlington, TX to Richardson, TX
It is a short 38 mi hop from Arlington, TX to Richardson, TX β roughly 49 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
38 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, I 635, SPUR 303 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Richardson | 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
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 0.0% more than Arlington at the median β $73,519 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 the job market in Richardson compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
How far is Richardson, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 38 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via PGBT and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 41.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 38 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 Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 30.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Richardson, TX.