Moving from Arlington, TX to Wichita, KS
It is a 371 mi drive, roughly 6h 35m, between Arlington, TX and Wichita, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
371 mi Β· 6h 35m by car Β· KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, OK 9, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Wichita at 88.946 vs Arlington at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $310,971 to $202,720 moving to Wichita.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 34.3" |
Annual temperature drops 9.1Β°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Wichita averages 12.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.52 |
Households in Wichita earn about 13.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 371 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Wichita more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 13.7% lower than Arlington (88.946 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 34.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 14.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Wichita, KS from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 371 mi and the route typically takes 6h 35m via I 35 and OK 9. The trip crosses 3 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· Wichita, KS.