Moving from Odessa, TX to Arlington, TX
Relocating between Odessa, TX and Arlington, TX is a 333 mi drive β 5h 45m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
333 mi Β· 5h 45m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, FM 157, LOOP 338 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.8% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $251,239 to $310,971 moving to Arlington.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Odessa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4Β°F) and Arlington (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 31 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.81 |
Median household incomes in Odessa ($73,030) and Arlington ($73,519) are within a few percent (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.
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 Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 333 mi and the route typically takes 5h 45m via I 20 and FM 157. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $73,030 in Odessa β a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $251,239 in Odessa β a 23.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 333 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 9.8% higher than Odessa (103.09 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX Β· Arlington, TX.