Moving from Boston, MA to Arlington, TX
It is 1786 mi and 33h 10m from Boston to Arlington β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1786 mi Β· 33h 10m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β NJ β PA β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β NJ β PA β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 36.2" |
Expect 14.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.81 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.8% β $94,755 β $73,519 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Massachusetts 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does household income compare in Boston vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $94,755 in Boston β a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $798,217 in Boston β a 61.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 4.8% lower than Boston (103.09 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 1786 mi and the route typically takes 33h 10m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 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 Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA Β· Arlington, TX.