Moving from College Station, TX to Arlington, TX
Moving from College Station, TX to Arlington, TX covers 184 mi and about 3h 20m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
184 mi Β· 3h 20m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, I 35W, US 190 |
| 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
| College Station | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.3% pricier overall in Arlington than College Station on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 13.3% lower in Arlington than College Station as of 2026-03.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 36.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 13.3% above College Station ($51,776 vs $73,519, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington 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 Arlington average 96Β°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 household income compare in College Station vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $51,776 in College Station β a 42.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arlington, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 20m via TX 6 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 184 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 Arlington compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 13.3% higher than College Station (103.09 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $349,041 in College Station β a 10.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Arlington, TX.