Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Arlington, TX
It is a short 9.0 mi hop from Grand Prairie, TX to Arlington, TX β roughly 15 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.
9.0 mi Β· 15 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 161, FM 157 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Dallas, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Arlington | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $316,527 vs $310,971.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Grand Prairie (65.6Β°F) and Arlington (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.81 |
Households in Arlington earn about 0.0% less at the median β 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 Grand Prairie vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 6.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Grand Prairie to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 9.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arlington, TX from Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 9.0 mi and the route typically takes 15 min via I 20 and TX 161. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 1.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Arlington, TX.