Firstly why Arlington, Texas?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Arlington
• State: Texas
• Population: 398,854 people
• Arlington’s quick summary would be Home to the AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas amusement park.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 20,000 annually
• Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 6,000
• Number of Homeless people: 900

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it home to major sports facilities attracting sports enthusiasts and families

Perk #1: Arlington Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 41%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 59%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $68,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Arlington is $68,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Arlington’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 100 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,785
• Property Tax %: 2.17%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,400
• Rent for an average house: $2,200
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Downtown Arlington
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Arlington, Grand-Prairie, Mansfield, Fort-Worth, and probably could include Hurst
• Avg. Age of Homes in Arlington: 37 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Arlington’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Arlington are  Retail, Healthcare, and Education
• Arlington Job Scene: strong job market in retail and entertainment
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech community centered around entertainment and local business innovation , ,
• Arlington Resident’s pay $1,800 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Arlington: 8.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 250 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 15

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Arlington

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $110 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-20 runs through Arlington linking it to Dallas and Fort Worth
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic congestion on I-30
• Transportation Score: 47 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Arlington: 400,000
• Cars registered per Person: 1
• No. of Car Washes: 14 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Arlington: txdmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 69 of 100
• Local Airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Arlington’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
• General Weather in Arlington is best described as experiences hot summers and mild winters with notable annual rainfall
• Winter Weather in Arlington i’d describe as mild and dry
• Spring Weather in Arlington can be described as warm and humid
• Summer’s in Arlington are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Arlington is usually warm with clear skies
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 82 days in summer
• Days in a row in Arlington below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 36 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality impacted by urban activities
• Arlington Winter Air mixed air quality heavily influenced by urban factors

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Arlington Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Arlington 6
• While the number of trade schools inside Arlingtons’s city limits are 8
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Arlington Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Arlington Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 7 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Arlington only Doctors is about 120
• Local Hospitals here is  7
• Full-time Arlington only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Arlington’s Monthly utility bill average is $110
• Arlington’s Monthly Gym Membership: $45
• Arlington’s Water Quality Score: 72

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Arlington

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: home to sports venues with a mix of urban life and parks
• You might enjoy shows at the Arlington Music Hall
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Arlington  features lively local bars and eateries offering diverse menus and entertainment suitable for families

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Arlington

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers casual dining and a mix of local and chain establishments
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 50 scattered around Arlington
• The Popular Sports Team is Texas Rangers
• Top Level Political Climate in Arlington can be described as diverse urban area with a mix of political views and social issues
• Arlington’s Longer standing religious establishment is Arlington Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Arlington Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Arlington has 40 Parks?
• Dino’s Park is Arlington’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Arlington Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, outdoor events, and cycling

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Arlington Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Arlington can be described as fast-paced suburban lifestyle with a focus on entertainment and sports
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Arlington community events visiting parks picnics at lakes
• The Cities people commute to from Arlington are Bryan 4 miles away Navasota 17 miles away Caldwell 22 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Arlington or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic congestion on I-30. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Arlington’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Downtown Arlington is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Arlington are Bryan 4 miles away Navasota 17 miles away Caldwell 22 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Arlington has 0 days in a row below freezing and 82 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Arlington people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   900 homeless people living in Arlington. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse urban area with a mix of political views and social issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Arlington.

Retiree & Senior Life in Arlington

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for property tax relief improving their financial outlook
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Waterford
• Arlington Senior Center features various programs health workshops and social activities for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Arlington, Texas?

If Arlington, Texas ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Arlington, Texas, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!