Moving from Columbia, MO to Arlington, TX
The drive from Columbia, MO to Arlington, TX runs 604 mi β about 11h 28m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
604 mi Β· 11h 28m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 44, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.438 in Columbia to 103.09 in Arlington, a 15.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $321,091 vs $310,971 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 36.2" |
Climate warms by 10.6Β°F on the annual average β 56.2Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.81 |
Income steps up 15.3%: $64,488 in Columbia vs $73,519 in Arlington.
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.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 604 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 15.3% higher than Columbia (103.09 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 11h 28m via US 69 and I 44. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 3.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 14.0% 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 Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO Β· Arlington, TX.