Moving from Richmond, VA to Arlington, TX
Relocating 1299 mi from Richmond to Arlington is a 23h 22m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1299 mi Β· 23h 22m 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
| Richmond | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Arlington runs about 5.3% more expensive overall than Richmond β RPP 97.858 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Arlington run about 5.3% cheaper β ZHVI $369,646 β $310,971 (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 36.2" |
Expect 7.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.81 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.3% higher in Arlington than Richmond.
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
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 17.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1299 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arlington more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 5.3% higher than Richmond (103.09 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $369,646 in Richmond β a 15.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arlington, TX from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 1299 mi and the route typically takes 23h 22m via I 40 and I 30. 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA Β· Arlington, TX.