Moving from Killeen, TX to Arlington, TX
Moving from Killeen, TX to Arlington, TX covers 154 mi and about 2h 46m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
154 mi · 2h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35W, I 35, I 14 |
| 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
| Killeen | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arlington is 13.1% higher than Killeen, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arlington is 13.1% above Killeen — $219,957 vs $310,971 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Killeen (66.6°F) and Arlington (66.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 30 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 13.1% above Killeen ($58,339 vs $73,519, ACS 5-year 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 96°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.
Frequently asked
Is Arlington more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 13.1% higher than Killeen (103.09 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 41.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 26.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arlington, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 154 mi and the route typically takes 2h 46m via I 35W and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Arlington, TX.