Things to know before moving from Texas to Arlington, VA

Cost of living: Texas vs Arlington, VA

Texas Arlington
Average rent cost $1,251 $2,718
Average home value $300,267 $810,670
Average income (per capita) $73,035 $128,145
Unemployment rate 4% 4%
State income tax 0% 6%
  • Rent is about 117% more expensive in Arlington than in Texas.
  • Home prices are about 170% higher in Arlington than in Texas.
  • The average income is about 75% higher in Arlington than in Texas.
  • Arlington has a lower unemployment rate than Texas by about 2%.
  • Income taxes are 6% higher in Arlington than in Texas.

How life is different in Arlington from Texas

Arlington Texas
Population 238,643 30,503,301
Political leaning Democratic 81-17 Republican 56-44
Summer high 88ºF 94ºF
Winter low 27ºF 36ºF
Annual rain 43" 36"
Annual snow 15" 2"
Crime index 15.67 27.32
  • The population of Arlington is approximately 99% lower than the population of Texas.
  • In the last presidential election, Arlington voted Democratic and Texas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Arlington is 88ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Arlington reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Arlington vs 36 inches of rainfall in Texas.
  • In Arlington, it snows about 15 inches annually vs 2 inches of snow in Texas.
  • Arlington has a lower crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 27.32 vs 15.67.

Things to do in Arlington

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Arlington.

Museums in Arlingtontoggle

  • JW Tumbles
  • Ball-Sellers House Museum
  • David M. Brown Planetarium
  • Arlington Historical Museum
  • Arlington Arts Center
  • Artisphere

Parks in Arlingtontoggle

  • Gravelly Point Park
  • Long Bridge Park
  • Bon Air Park
  • Upton Hill Regional Park
  • Potomac Overlook Regional Park
  • Lady Bird Johnson Park
  • Lubber Run Park
  • Glencarlyn Park
  • Shirlington Dog Park

Universities in Arlingtontoggle

  • Marymount University

Other considerations when moving to Arlington, VA

  • Weather: Arlington has hot humid summers, mild to moderately cold winters, and pleasant spring and fall seasons.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Virginia. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Texas to Arlington take?

The time frame for a move from Texas to Arlington, VA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Texas, the longer the drive time to Arlington will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Arlington from Texas can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Texas to Arlington?

Because of the 1540-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Texas to Arlington as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Arlington, VA?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 27ºF, most people move to Arlington from Texas during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Arlington during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources