Moving from Detroit, MI to Arlington, TX
Relocating 1203 mi from Detroit to Arlington is a 21h 48m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1203 mi Β· 21h 48m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 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
2.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.5Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.81 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.8% β $39,575 β $73,519 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Michigan 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (16.5Β°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 much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 312.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arlington, TX from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 21h 48m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 2.8% higher than Detroit (103.09 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 85.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Arlington, TX.