Moving from Tampa, FL to Arlington, TX
It is 1123 mi between Tampa and Arlington β roughly 20h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1123 mi Β· 20h 40m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.89 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 around 2.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tampa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 36.2" |
Annual temperature drops 7.7Β°F moving to Arlington per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.81 |
Median household incomes in Tampa ($71,302) 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.
Moving between Florida 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 2.2% higher than Tampa (103.09 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1123 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $71,302 in Tampa β a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arlington, TX from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1123 mi and the route typically takes 20h 40m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $374,888 in Tampa β a 17.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL Β· Arlington, TX.