Moving from Carrollton, TX to Gainesville, FL
It is 991 mi between Carrollton and Gainesville β roughly 18h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
991 mi Β· 18h 24m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Gainesville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 96.733 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.155 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 92.982 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.2% cheaper overall in Gainesville than Carrollton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Gainesville -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Gainesville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Gainesville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, GAINESVILLE RGNL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Gainesville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 143,611 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $45,611 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 26.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 25.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.47 |
Gainesville households earn about 6.2% less than Carrollton at the median β $99,115 β $45,611 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gainesville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,790 | $39,560 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,090 | $78,100 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,600 | $29,120 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 11,930 | $53,420 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,560 | $33,590 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gainesville average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Gainesville more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gainesville is 6.2% lower than Carrollton (96.733 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Gainesville compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $297,055 in Gainesville vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 26.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Gainesville, FL from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 991 mi and the route typically takes 18h 24m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Gainesville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,611 in Gainesville vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 54.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Gainesville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 991 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Gainesville compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,490 in the Gainesville MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA, on total employment of 141,070 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Gainesville, FL.