Moving from Austin, TX to Garland, TX
It is a 212 mi drive, roughly 3h 48m, between Austin, TX and Garland, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
212 mi Β· 3h 48m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $508,530 to $286,805 moving to Garland.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Austin (70.0Β°F) and Garland (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.04 |
Households in Garland earn about 5.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Garland average 94Β°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.
Frequently asked
Is Garland more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 5.1% higher than Austin (103.09 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garland, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 212 mi and the route typically takes 3h 48m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 212 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $508,530 in Austin β a 43.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $91,461 in Austin β a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· Garland, TX.