Moving from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, TX
It is a 276 mi drive, roughly 5h 1m, between San Antonio, TX and Arlington, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
276 mi Β· 5h 1m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington runs about 8.8% more expensive overall than San Antonio β RPP 94.716 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $249,810 in San Antonio to $310,971 in Arlington, a 8.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 36.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.0Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.81 |
Households in Arlington earn about 8.8% more at the median β 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 much do homes cost in Arlington compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 24.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arlington, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 276 mi and the route typically takes 5h 1m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 16.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arlington more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 8.8% higher than San Antonio (103.09 vs 94.716, 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Arlington, TX.