Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Garland, TX
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Garland, TX runs 805 mi β about 15h 6m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
805 mi Β· 15h 6m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 35, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Richardson, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.9% pricier overall in Garland than Cedar Rapids on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Garland typical home at $286,805 is 15.9% above Cedar Rapids at $204,112 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 41.9" |
NOAA normals show Garland running 17.5Β°F above Cedar Rapids on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.04 |
Income steps up 15.9%: $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $74,717 in Garland.
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.
Moving between Iowa 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.5Β°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 does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 10.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Garland, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 805 mi and the route typically takes 15h 6m via US 69 and I 35. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 40.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 805 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garland more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 15.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (103.09 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 140,020 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 Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Garland, TX.