Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, TX
A move from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, TX covers 1029 mi and around 19h 7m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1029 mi Β· 19h 7m by car Β· WI β IL β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arlington is 6.3% higher than Milwaukee, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arlington is 6.3% above Milwaukee β $220,137 vs $310,971 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Milwaukee | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 36.2" |
Arlington runs 18.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.3Β°F vs 66.8Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 6.3% above Milwaukee ($51,888 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.
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 (18.5Β°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 Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 1029 mi and the route typically takes 19h 7m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 6.3% higher than Milwaukee (103.09 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $220,137 in Milwaukee β a 41.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1029 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $51,888 in Milwaukee β a 41.7% higher 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 Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI Β· Arlington, TX.