Moving from Madison, WI to Arlington, TX
It is 1035 mi between Madison and Arlington β roughly 18h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1035 mi Β· 18h 52m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Irving, Fort Worth, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington runs about 6.0% more expensive overall than Madison β RPP 97.287 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $423,767 in Madison to $310,971 in Arlington, a 6.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.6Β°F β 47.2Β°F in Madison vs 66.8Β°F in Arlington, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.81 |
Household income lines up β $76,983 vs $73,519 on 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.
Moving between Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 (19.6Β°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 far is Arlington, TX from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1035 mi and the route typically takes 18h 52m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 6.0% higher than Madison (103.09 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1035 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $423,767 in Madison β a 26.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $76,983 in Madison β a 4.5% 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 Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Arlington, TX.