Moving from Houston, TX to Arlington, TX
The 254 mi from Houston to Arlington translate to about 4h 34m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
254 mi Β· 4h 34m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 20, FM 157 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Houston (98.629) and Arlington (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Arlington at $310,971 is 4.5% above Houston at $264,336.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 36.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.81 |
Income steps up 4.5%: $62,894 in Houston 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.
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 much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $264,336 in Houston β a 17.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 254 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 Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Arlington, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 254 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via I 45 and I 20. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Arlington more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 4.5% higher than Houston (103.09 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $62,894 in Houston β a 16.9% 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Arlington, TX.