Moving from Arlington, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
It is a 400 mi drive, roughly 7h 26m, between Arlington, TX and Corpus Christi, 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.
400 mi Β· 7h 26m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 183, I 35W, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Corpus Christi | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 80.991 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 84.905 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Corpus Christi at 92.671 vs Arlington at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $310,971 to $223,502 moving to Corpus Christi.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Corpus Christi -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 34.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1Β°F moving to Corpus Christi per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, PORT ARANSAS 11 SSW, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 317,383 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $66,325 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.69 |
Households in Corpus Christi earn about 10.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Corpus Christi MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,840 | $37,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $27,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,380 | $31,420 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,070 | $37,120 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 14,050 | $47,300 |
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
- 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 Corpus Christi compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $223,502 in Corpus Christi vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 28.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Corpus Christi?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,325 in Corpus Christi vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 9.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Corpus Christi?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 400 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 Corpus Christi compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,570 in the Corpus Christi MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 187,350 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Corpus Christi more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Corpus Christi is 10.1% lower than Arlington (92.671 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Corpus Christi, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 400 mi and the route typically takes 7h 26m via US 183 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 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 Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Corpus Christi, TX.