Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Arlington, TX
It is 1409 mi between Costa Mesa and Arlington β roughly 24h 19m 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.
1409 mi Β· 24h 19m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| 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
| Costa Mesa | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Arlington at 103.09 vs Costa Mesa at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,413,322 to $310,971 moving to Arlington.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) and Arlington (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.81 |
Arlington households earn about 9.2% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $73,519 on ACS 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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 9.2% lower than Costa Mesa (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1409 mi and the route typically takes 24h 19m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 78.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 33.2% 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Arlington, TX.