Moving from McAllen, TX to Arlington, TX
A move from McAllen, TX to Arlington, TX covers 522 mi and around 9h 8m of driving through 1 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
522 mi Β· 9h 8m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, TX 130 TOLL, I 69C |
| 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
| McAllen | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.0% pricier overall price level β 85.895 β 103.09 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arlington typical home at $310,971 is 20.0% above McAllen at $229,001 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 36.2" |
Arlington is 8.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (75.5Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 20.0% above McAllen ($60,165 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 far is Arlington, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 522 mi and the route typically takes 9h 8m via US 281 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 22.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arlington more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 20.0% higher than McAllen (103.09 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 35.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 522 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 McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Arlington, TX.