Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Arlington, TX
The drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Arlington, TX runs 848 mi β about 15h 6m 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.
848 mi Β· 15h 6m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 29, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 90.631 in Sioux Falls to 103.09 in Arlington, a 13.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Arlington ZHVI at $310,971 is 13.7% below Sioux Falls at $329,723.
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 36.2" |
Major climate step-up: 20.2Β°F warmer annual average in Arlington vs Sioux Falls.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.81 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 South Dakota 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
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 (20.2Β°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
Is Arlington more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 13.7% higher than Sioux Falls (103.09 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 5.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 1.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 848 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Arlington, TX from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 848 mi and the route typically takes 15h 6m via I 35 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Arlington, TX.