Moving from McKinney, TX to Arlington, TX
Moving from McKinney, TX to Arlington, TX covers 54 mi and about 1h 10m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
54 mi Β· 1h 10m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, SRT, SPUR 303 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Dallas, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | 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 |
Arlington and McKinney are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arlington typical home at $310,971 is 0.0% under McKinney at $481,963 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 0.0% below McKinney ($120,273 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 McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 10m via PGBT and SRT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 35.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Arlington, TX.