Moving from Arlington, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 610 mi between Arlington and Tuscaloosa 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
| Arlington | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.9% moving from Arlington to Tuscaloosa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $310,971 in Arlington to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 14.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 64.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 14.9% less than Arlington at the median β $73,519 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 34.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 14.9% lower than Arlington (87.722 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Tuscaloosa?
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 far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Arlington, TX?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.