Moving from Worcester, MA to Arlington, TX
Cross-country relocations like Worcester, MA β Arlington, TX cover 1745 mi and about 32h 24m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1745 mi Β· 32h 24m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Irving, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Worcester | Arlington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arlington and Worcester is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arlington is 0.6% below Worcester β $430,112 vs $310,971 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Worcester | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 36.2" |
Arlington runs 18.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.81 |
Income steps up 0.6%: $67,544 in Worcester 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 Massachusetts 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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $430,112 in Worcester β a 27.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Arlington more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 0.6% higher than Worcester (103.09 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arlington, TX from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 1745 mi and the route typically takes 32h 24m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $67,544 in Worcester β a 8.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Worcester to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1745 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA Β· Arlington, TX.