Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Arlington, TX
It is 610 mi between Tuscaloosa and Arlington β roughly 11h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
610 mi Β· 11h 4m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington runs about 17.5% more expensive overall than Tuscaloosa β RPP 87.722 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $228,947 in Tuscaloosa to $310,971 in Arlington, a 17.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 36.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.3Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.81 |
Arlington households earn about 17.5% more than Tuscaloosa at the median β $48,536 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.
Moving between Alabama 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 far is Arlington, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 610 mi and the route typically takes 11h 4m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 51.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 35.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Arlington more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 17.5% higher than Tuscaloosa (103.09 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 610 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 Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Arlington, TX.