Moving from Providence, RI to Arlington, TX
Moving from Providence, RI to Arlington, TX is a 1750 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 28m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1750 mi Β· 32h 28m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β RI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β RI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Providence | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.773 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.809 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.116 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.851 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Providence (101.773) 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
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Arlington: 1.3% below Providence on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Providence +2.3%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Providence | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.5" | 36.2" |
Arlington runs 14.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Providence | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $66,772 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 1.3% above Providence ($66,772 β $73,519, 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 Rhode Island 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Arlington, TX from Providence, RI?
The driving distance is 1750 mi and the route typically takes 32h 28m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Providence vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $66,772 in Providence β a 10.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Providence to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Providence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 1.3% higher than Providence (103.09 vs 101.773, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Providence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $426,007 in Providence β a 27.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Providence.
City profiles: Providence, RI Β· Arlington, TX.