Moving from Kansas City, MO to Arlington, TX
Relocating 565 mi from Kansas City to Arlington is a 9h 49m 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.
565 mi Β· 9h 49m by car Β· MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $250,208 to $310,971 moving to Arlington.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 36.2" |
Expect 9.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.81 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.4% higher in Arlington than Kansas City.
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 Missouri 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.
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
How far is Arlington, TX from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 565 mi and the route typically takes 9h 49m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 24.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 11.4% higher than Kansas City (103.09 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 9.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 565 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Arlington, TX.