Moving from Raleigh, NC to Arlington, TX
It is 1231 mi between Raleigh and Arlington β roughly 22h 15m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1231 mi Β· 22h 15m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington runs about 5.0% more expensive overall than Raleigh β RPP 98.157 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $433,996 in Raleigh to $310,971 in Arlington, a 5.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 36.2" |
Annual temperature rises 5.7Β°F moving to Arlington per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.81 |
Households in Arlington earn about 5.0% less at the median β 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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
Is Arlington more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 5.0% higher than Raleigh (103.09 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1231 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arlington, TX from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 1231 mi and the route typically takes 22h 15m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 28.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Arlington, TX.