Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Arlington, TX
The drive from Miami Gardens, FL to Arlington, TX runs 1317 mi β about 24h 10m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1317 mi Β· 24h 10m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 114.155 to 103.09, putting Arlington roughly 9.7% below Miami Gardens on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Arlington: 9.7% below Miami Gardens on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 36.2" |
Climate cools by 9.2Β°F on the annual average β 76.0Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.81 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.7% between Miami Gardens and Arlington (ACS 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 Florida 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 33.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arlington, TX from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 1317 mi and the route typically takes 24h 10m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 20.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 9.7% lower than Miami Gardens (103.09 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1317 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 Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Arlington, TX.