Moving from Mobile, AL to Arlington, TX
It is 610 mi between Mobile and Arlington β roughly 11h 28m 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.
610 mi Β· 11h 28m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 49, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 17.0% above Mobile β 88.098 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 36.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.81 |
Arlington households earn about 17.0% more than Mobile at the median β $51,090 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 Alabama 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
Is Arlington more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 17.0% higher than Mobile (103.09 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Mobile to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 610 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 Mobile vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 43.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 59.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Arlington, TX from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 610 mi and the route typically takes 11h 28m via I 20 and US 49. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· Arlington, TX.