Moving from Arlington, TX to Richmond, VA
Relocating 1299 mi from Arlington to Richmond is a 23h 22m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1299 mi Β· 23h 22m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.1% cheaper overall in Richmond than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.1% above Arlington β $310,971 β $369,646 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 45.5" |
Expect 7.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.23 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.1% lower in Richmond than Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 18.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, VA from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1299 mi and the route typically takes 23h 22m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 5.1% lower than Arlington (97.858 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1299 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 Arlington vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 14.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Richmond, VA.