Moving from Richardson, TX to Arlington, TX
It is a short 38 mi hop from Richardson, TX to Arlington, TX β roughly 49 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
38 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, I 635, SPUR 303 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $440,400 to $310,971 moving to Arlington.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Arlington (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.81 |
Arlington households earn about 0.0% less than Richardson at the median β $96,257 β $73,519 on 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 much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 29.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arlington, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 38 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via PGBT and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 38 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Arlington, TX.