Moving from Norfolk, VA to Arlington, TX
The drive from Norfolk, VA to Arlington, TX runs 1386 mi β about 24h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1386 mi Β· 24h 59m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norfolk | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.3% pricier overall in Arlington than Norfolk on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norfolk | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 36.2" |
Climate warms by 5.4Β°F on the annual average β 61.4Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.81 |
Income steps up 5.3%: $64,017 in Norfolk vs $73,519 in Arlington.
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 Virginia 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Norfolk to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1386 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 Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $306,227 in Norfolk β a 1.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Arlington, TX from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 1386 mi and the route typically takes 24h 59m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $64,017 in Norfolk β a 14.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Arlington more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 5.3% higher than Norfolk (103.09 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA Β· Arlington, TX.