Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Arlington, TX
A move from Virginia Beach, VA to Arlington, TX covers 1407 mi and around 25h 28m of driving through 4 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.
1407 mi Β· 25h 28m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | 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 Virginia Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arlington typical home at $310,971 is 5.3% under Virginia Beach at $427,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 36.2" |
Arlington runs 7.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.8Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Arlington is 5.3% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 β $73,519, 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 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-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
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 5.3% higher than Virginia Beach (103.09 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach 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 does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arlington, TX from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 1407 mi and the route typically takes 25h 28m 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Arlington, TX.