Moving from Arlington, TX to Miami Gardens, FL
The drive from Arlington, TX to Miami Gardens, FL runs 1317 mi β about 24h 10m 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.
1317 mi Β· 24h 10m 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
| Arlington | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.7% pricier overall in Miami Gardens than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Miami Gardens typical home at $469,434 is 10.7% above Arlington at $310,971 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 68.3" |
Climate warms by 9.2Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 76.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 3.22 |
Income steps down 10.7%: $73,519 in Arlington vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 51.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1317 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 Miami Gardens compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 10.7% higher than Arlington (114.155 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 17.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1317 mi and the route typically takes 24h 10m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 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· Miami Gardens, FL.